On 24th July 2006, Tiverton Town Councillors held a full meeting of the Council in which they considered the current situation in Tiverton, and how the town might move forward in the future. This was a well-attended meeting. The framework for recording their views was provided by a questionnaire which had been drawn up after informal discussions with councillors and in light of the process that the Market and Coastal Towns initiative in Tiverton had been following since its launch in September 2004. The questionnaire had been circulated to the councillors in advance of the meeting by the Town Clerk.

I. Summary

Councillors took a wide-ranging view of the current situation in Tiverton, and wished to see the town develop as a balanced community, providing a good quality of life for all residents. Twelve themes on the questionnaire – the built and natural environment, transport, water and waste, sport and recreation, agriculture and tourism, commerce and industry, energy, health, housing, education, children and young people, heritage art and culture, and crime and safety – were considered, and all were regarded as important in contributing towards vigour and quality of life of the town community.

II Issues

Issues in order of greatest concern:
• the vigour of commerce and industry
• energy and transport need to be tackled with urgency
• education issues
• health, housing, and water and waste pose ongoing difficulties for the town, with water and waste issues   needing urgent attention.
• encroaching housing development on the hillsides around the town, and issues of design.
• the decline in agriculture and the need for farm businesses to diversify are impacting on the economy of the   town.
• quality tourism needs encouragement. Views on crime and safety varied considerably. There was less concern   about the conservation of the historic heritage of the town, and for the provision of arts and cultural facilities   and sport and recreational facilities, although these were understood to impact significantly on the economic   vigour and quality of life in the town, and to be important in terms of the vibrancy of the town.

III. Partnership and Influence

Within these broad themes, individual councillors had wide ranging personal priorities and interests. When combined, these amounted to a considerable range of local situational understanding and skills in identifying strengths and weaknesses, and in recognising opportunities and threats facing the town. Although the town
councillors do not have power to implement policy, they are able to convey their views to Mid Devon District Council, and through this to influence the development of the town. The need is now to encourage stronger partnership working between the town council, and other councils and organisations working for the best interests of the town. The councillors also seek to influence the future shape of the Tiverton through their input to the Exe Valley Plan.