Health

Most questionnaires returned a satisfactory response to the health questions. GP surgeries, in particular, came out very well whereas people were less satisfied with dental provision. There is also general satisfaction with the response times of the fire and ambulance services although in the more rural areas the timings could be a matter of life and death. There was, unfortunately, a disappointing response to the question about First Responder schemes with only Sampford Peverell reacting positively.

These schemes involve the training of local volunteers in basic first aid and the equipping of them with resuscitation equipment. This can be a lifesaver.

Housing
A question about affordable housing showed a general desire for more houses to be built that would meet the needs of local people. Halberton, in its Parish Plan has stated that: "… up to 31 homes needed" in "small groups".

In Sampford Peverell, Oakford, Stoodleigh and Silverton it is a similar story. In the smaller communities no Housing Needs Surveys or Parish Plans have been commissioned but in general the response was positive. This situation could be linked to the subjective question about the balance of dwelling size, which suggested that there is a dearth of small houses that, by definition, will be more affordable than the large new houses so often seen in our villages.

Conclusion
In the next decades we will see many changes to the Exe Valley landscape in response to changing circumstances. Climate change may bring widespread vineyards on south facing slopes. Globalisation and modern supermarkets have already changed the supply chain of our food and other products. Some of the changes are out of our hands but others, particularly those that come under the jurisdiction of local and regional administrations are set to be increasingly within our own power. The recent White Paper on Local Government is aimed at strengthening the ability of Parish and Town Councils to mould their own futures.

It could be that the smaller rural communities far from essential services may continue to contract as the cost of transport increases. Planning policies may change to hasten such a decline or communities may decide to improve their sustainability by developing sustainable employment and thereby achieve the balanced communities desired by the people of the Exe Valley.
Miles Snowdon,
Parish Representative, EVP Steering Group
October 2006