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Community Plan Review Part 1 Executive Summary This report covers the following areas: A review of the Totnes Community Plan Introduction The purpose of this report is to review the projects in the existing Totnes Community Plan on behalf of the Totnes and District Community Strategy Group with a view to the prioritisation of projects and exploring how progress can be made to meet the needs and aspirations of the community as expressed through the Community Plan. It also highlights the lack of joint vision for the town and the need to tackle issues collectively for the benefit of the community as a whole. The Plan looked at projects in three areas: A number of the projects are fairly well advanced in terms of initial project planning, feasibility and costing and are just looking for funding to take them forward- a good example of this would be the street enhancement work. Others are at a very early stage – just ideas which need a good deal of project planning and in some cases even further public consultation in order to establish the community need in a way which will convince funders of the sound basis in community need for the project. The projects also have a wide spread in terms of timescale, either because of the level of funding required or because of the scale of the project and the complexity in taking them forward. This report also considers the potential of developing shorter term or interim solutions for projects with inevitably long time scales. This would seem particularly relevant for dealing with community issues such as the provision of youth facilities. The recognition of the importance of binding young people into the structure of the community means that it is not appropriate to wait even 5 years to achieve the perfect solution for youth provision. In addition through the consultation and other research involved in the preparation of this report other projects have come forward and have been included in order to give the fullest picture of the projects which could be developed to progress the Plan. One of the areas that the plan failed to address was the prioritisation of projects, an essential element in the process. Review of Totnes Community Plan It is necessary to review the current Totnes Plan and to remember the issues and subsequent themes arising from the community consultation. The projects contained within this report have not all arisen directly from community groups or the community consultation, although many have, but all do address the themes identified through the consultation process. Following the community consultation, the information gathered was analysed and fell into five main categories or themes. These themes reflect the issues which are of greatest concern to the community as a whole and are, perhaps unsurprisingly: Economy and Tourism; Affordable Housing; Access to Services; Heritage, Culture and the Arts and the Environment The benefit of organising the issues into these themes is that it enables individuals, groups, statutory and other potential partnership organisations to easily identify the issues and projects and to participate in regeneration projects to make social, economic and environmental improvements within Totnes in a sustainable way. The themes closely correspond with those highlighted in the South Hams Community Strategy 2003 – 2006 (which is currently being reviewed). The Community Strategy has drawn on local knowledge and experience, which makes it fine-tuned to issues at a grassroots level. It has also drawn together the service providers into one Partnership Forum, which can address issues from an integrated framework at a district level and helps avoid duplication. Tying in the Totnes Community Action Plan themes with those of the South Hams Community Strategy will help guide new community group projects to connect with priorities set at a district level, making it more likely to attract funding. The Action Plan, in turn, can inform the policy-making processes of the statutory organisations. In addition two other themes specific to the needs of Totnes have also been identified – Arts, Heritage and Culture and the Environment. Totnes has a reputation for its heritage and a correspondingly unique culture; it is what attracts visitors to the town and makes it a special place. However, this has not been exploited to its full potential and it is essential for the town not to miss out on present opportunities. Environment is also a key theme. Although it is referred to as an underlying cross-cutting theme in the South Hams Community Strategy, the environment plays an important part in influencing and maintaining the character of the town and surrounding district, making Totnes special in not only in a physical sense but also in the beliefs, values and priorities of the people who live there. The themes are detailed below. Economy and Tourism Clearly the issue of low wages and seasonal employment is of great concern to the community.Low wages is obviously an issue which needs to be tackled at a number of different levels- new infrastructure is an important facet- the A385 through Totnes is the third most congested road in Devon. “In this case the role of the plan is to highlight the problem”. This is an issue, which can be highlighted in this plan, but it is not within the control of the community alone to action change, there needs to be a partnership approach to tackling this problem. In order to promote regeneration and sustainability The South Hams Community Strategy gives priority to the improvement of levels of prosperity of businesses located in the area – in other words, ‘money will beget money’. This will only be accomplished by raising income levels (which are some of the lowest in the UK), making improvements to infrastructure such as developing a better road and rail network, creating more sites for business expansion, re-shaping public transport, expanding IT communications, and increasing access to job and training opportunities to strengthen the skill base of the local work force. The economy also needs to respond to the needs of young people living in the area by providing opportunities to take up employment in local high value-added industry. Other issues relating to the economic vitality of the town and consequently increased prosperity can be tackled through community action- businesses working together can increase the length of visitor stay and spend within the townThe South Ham’s market and coastal towns are a prime focus for their rural hinterlands but they experience problems in maintaining a competitive advantage. Community-led partnership action is required to stimulate business growth, build upon and add value to the local assets such as the built and natural environment without, at the same time, damaging that asset. It is estimated that 64% of the working population in the South Hams District is employed directly or indirectly in the service sector, which is highly tourism related. According to the South Hams District Council Tourism and Marketing Strategy, the area mainly appeals as a tourist destination to couples and families. A high proportion of visitors are aware of the South Hams area as a holiday destination before they visit and mostly travel independently by car. The main leisure pursuits they enjoy are walking around the local towns and surrounding countryside, eating out and shopping. Although more than one third of all visitors are completely satisfied with their visit, others have voiced dissatisfaction, the main issues being poor signage, traffic congestion, the need for cheaper car parking and better public transport facilities. This highlights the need for Totnes to expand its appeal as a tourist destination by further capitalising and adding value to the attractions tourists and visitors engage with Totnes as a retail centre has a great advantage in its wealth of independent retailers - this is a considerable visitor attraction and should be capitalised upon. The priorities are: Affordable Housing The provision of affordable housing is one of the highest priorities for the community of Totnes and the surrounding area, reflecting the needs and priorities of South Devon as a whole. Without a range of affordable accommodation communities become unbalanced- children are forced to move away from their home communities, young families have to move away from established support systems- the cost is not just a financial one there is a greater social cost. Ordinary people can’t afford to buy a house in their own community- how can the Plan help tackle this problem? A number of projects are included in the plan, which seek to co-ordinate the development of innovative, affordable and sustainable housing solutions on a local level. These projects seek to compliment the affordable housing policies of South Hams District Council. Opportunities for satisfactory employment and affordable housing are inextricably linked – without access to affordable and well-designed housing the area will fail to keep and attract the key workers it needs. There is a need to close the gap between a high demand and low supplyWhat are the underlying issues? Firstly, house prices in the area have risen sharply in recent years. With low average incomes in the district of £17000 p.a. places many properties beyond the reach of most local people. This is a particular problem in the public sector where there is a discrepancy between national wage structures and local house prices. Secondly, there is a high volume of second homes in the area – 11% of the total number of properties in South Hams is second homes. Thirdly, the private rented sector is small and expensive, with social housing making up less than 10% of the housing stock of the district, of which a 1/3 is housing for older people. Finally, there is a shortage of land for development until the South Hams Local Plan to 2011 is adopted. Sustainable affordable housing will mean building today while thinking about the implications for the future i.e. building something that will not have a negative impact on future living. It is also about building communities that support each other and creating a community environment, which is not narrowed down to one social use or building type. Housing that allows for a mixed community will probably provide a better balance because it will offer the opportunity for all the sorts of people that are needed to make the community work, to live in close proximity to each other. The priorities are: Accessible Services Two groups in particular were highlighted through the consultation as having a range of unmet needs. Young people in the town and surrounding area do not have a dedicated space as a focus for their activities. In addition and a cause of great concern is the lack of a centre where young people can access help and support on a variety of issues. The community recognises that young people are its future, and many of the projects addressed in the plan cover issues of importance to young people. Another sector of the community affected particularly by the inadequate provision of services are older people. The South Hams Community Strategy wants to achieve: ‘Equity of access to services, where no individual will feel disadvantaged because of where they live or because of their circumstances’. As already discussed in this document a market town functions as a focus for growth in areas which need regeneration, and more generally as a service centre and hub for the surrounding areas, playing a critical role in helping rural communities to thrive, and to regenerate areas, which are in a deprived condition. It is not only the access to services in Totnes itself that is an issue, but also how services are made available and delivered between the town and its surrounding rural hinterland. Heritage, Culture and the Arts Heritage and culture is about what makes a place and its people different from other places and people. Totnes is rich in heritage and has fostered a strong tradition of culture in its widest sense – arts, literature and science. Culture could almost be regarded as a social habit of the town. However, there is room for the township to explore a fresh interpretation of what it has to offer and how to deliver this asset. The future prosperity of Totnes is inextricably linked to this rich tradition. By capitalizing on this unique heritage the future for the community can be safeguarded. Recent publicity has named Totnes one of the funkiest towns in Britain but many opportunities to make the most of this reputation remain untapped. A fresh understanding of who is its tourist audience will help develop this further. For example, there is the cultural tourist who is prevailingly of a ‘certain age’, professional, intellectual, on a good income, likes travelling and looks for good food and accommodation. They are inclined towards the smaller destinations, and enjoy museums, art galleries, festivals, performances and courses. Above all they look for authenticity and like to experience the place and its people. Within this group of people there is also a younger market to be attracted. However it is important to remember that the heritage, arts and culture of Totnes should be accessible to all members of the community and the needs of tourism should be balanced against the needs of the resident population as a whole. The need for an easily accessible cultural meeting/exhibition space in the centre of the town has been clearly expressed. If carefully managed there is no reason why the economic benefits associated with increased tourism should not help to meet the needs of the local community. Today English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund work from a broad definition of heritage, which not only includes the tangible heritage such as historic buildings, collections, landscapes, and archaeological sites, but also includes the intangible: shared memories, experience and identity, and what is considered valuable to pass on to future generations. This broader interpretation of heritage not only gives opportunities for bringing communities together but also actively seeks to break down the barriers, which have traditionally excluded certain social groups from engaging with heritage facilities and experiences. These include disabled people, socially disadvantaged people, children and young people, families, low achieving households and ethnic minorities.The Heritage Lottery Fund now looks for heritage projects to create: “Of the 438 Listed Buildings in the Parish of Totnes, 412 are included in the Conservation Area. Exactly half of them (206) actually front the continuous thoroughfare of Bridgetown, Fore Street, High Street and Cistern Street, while at least a further 78 are easily viewed from it. Undoubtedly, these numbers represent one of the most, if not the most, impressive concentrations of listed buildings in any English country town.”Finally, in terms of building and development in relation to heritage, South Hams District Council is presently preparing a Character Assessment of Totnes for publication. A character assessment is a document, which assesses the character of an area and then lays down a series of recommendations that are finally drawn together to produce a Character Statement. A character statement encourages good design by analysing the characteristic style of a settlement and suggests ways in which it might be applied to all future building and landscape activity in that place. It demands a harmony between traditional and new building that will enhance both the appearance of the environment and community life. This document recommends that all future heritage projects should use the character assessment and character statement as a frame of reference as they become available. The publication of this document is a positive step forward and will integrate with the work of the Heritage groups in Totnes. |
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Environment Totnes’s environment is one of its key assets. It is important for those living and working in the area but also essential for its position as a visitor destination. The quality of the environment is also essential for those plants and animals living in the area and it is clear that the community places the maintenance and improvement of the quality of the environment high on its agenda. The environment of Totnes is important for the quality of life of residents of all kinds and as an income generator for the town and the surrounding area. Environment is a key priority for Totnes, and is inextricably linked with its culture. The environment is more than just a philosophical issue. The town’s appeal and future prosperity depends upon environmental projects being relevant and well directed.Central Government’s push to integrate social, economic and environmental issues has been important and necessary. However, as a consequence, environment as a distinct theme in national, regional and local strategies has been in recent years, subsumed into issues such as ‘liveability’. It has lost some of its wider implications such as climate change, waste, water pollution, green space and the impacts of resource usage, which all need to be re-emphasised. Totnes (and its hinterland communities) has held a passionate tradition of interest and pioneer thinking with regard to these issues over many years. Careful use of natural resources and environmental protection are in reality integral to economic development and social cohesion. Local environment projects focused on creating physical environmental improvements can also offer an effective setting for social and democratic renewal, and empower local actions. Environmental projects can help reverse social exclusion. As social exclusion is a localised issue, so the degree of exclusion of individuals and households is intimately connected to the quality of the neighbourhood – its social networks or lack of them, its environment, schools, transport facilities and the quality of its shared spaces. This connects exclusion to the environment, social care and quality in the experience of the buildings, spaces, greenery, paths and roads. Totnes already has a number of established environmental projects, which clearly demonstrate the community’s ability to work in partnership with local, national and transnational organizations to secure funding for innovative projects The role of the Strategy Group The Strategy Group was established to co-ordinate, steer and pull together the Totnes Plan. Since the publication of the Plan the Strategy Group have continued to work on moving the Plan forward by: Organising workshops on project planning and funding through the Market and Coastal Towns Association and the Devon Rural Renaissance programme, The Strategy Group’s role is now changing and is moving to one in which the group aims to facilitate the delivery of the projects identified in the Plan, offer advice and signposting to groups coming forward with new projects. In the foreseeable future the Strategy Group will undoubtedly have to undertake a crucial role in steering large complex projects, which involve a number of individual project groups and other bodies- for example the Civic Hall Project. Consequently the Strategy Group should continue to: Review the Plan on a regular basis, Creating and managing project groups and achievable projects- general points It is important to establish any project on a firm footing from the outset- any project big or small if claiming to be a community project must have the following: Well-evidenced and up to date information relating to the community need for the project. This evidence needs to be gathered from a wide spectrum of the community, demonstrate inclusivity and be updated throughout the life of the project planning to delivery- and beyond! Funding- general points Many communities have good project ideas that have the potential to meet important needs and aspirations of their communities but are unable to secure funding from outside bodies. In writing this report every attempt has been made to identify potential funders or funding streams for projects however this may not always or even usually be forthcoming. This does not mean that the projects are not good ones. It may be necessary to explore how a successful project can be achieved without grant aid. A number of the projects and project ideas coming out of the Totnes Plan have the potential to be commercially viable- as with the Steamer Quay Market- what is required is investment in the project. If a thorough business plan is developed and the project is controlled by a legitimate and recognised group- maybe run as a Not For Profit business, then funding could be sought from local businesses and community members. This is also true for other projects – if the community support for the project exists then the Town Council can raise a Precept for that particular project whether it be an extra youth worker, park keeper or for public art. Another potential source of funding is the creation of a local trust which seeks donations which can then be redistributed for local initiatives- for example a local housing trust which could be established for donations or bequests, and administered under community agreed rules. Community bonds can be sold for particular projects. In addition the value of sponsorship should not be overlooked as this can facilitate small-scale projects and also give credibility to projects seeking additional funding from other sources. Communities also need to become more professional in the way that they approach projects and how they seek support for them. Historically communities have shied away from involving the private sector in their projects for fear that they may be “taken over” however strong leadership, thorough project planning and a good business plan should avert this and seeking partners from the private sector may actually change the project from an aspiration to a reality. This is particularly the case when looking at developing property based Community Assets. In the Totnes Plan there is a map showing the landownership of South Hams DC, Devon CC and Totnes Town Council- these are the community’s assets and need to be made to work for the community. It may be that a particular piece of land or building if sold for appropriate community approved development could release capital for investment in an identified community project. Many of these alternative funding sources may not (although some could) raise large sums of money however they do have the benefit of demonstrating not only to the Community as a whole but to outside agencies and funders that Totnes believes in investing in itself. Project reviews and updates As mentioned earlier although the Totnes Community Action plan identified priority areas and this was expressed through the themeing of projects, the projects that fell within each theme were not in themselves prioritised. This prioritisation of projects is essential not only for the community as a whole but also for potential funders. Many funders are looking for projects, which have measurable economic outputs, and the whole community tends to benefit from projects, which promote economic prosperity. In addition however it is important to consider projects in terms of their achievability, some projects for example the Totnes street enhancement works have been identified as a high priority by the community however due to the cost of the works and the difficulty of finding a funding stream for this type of work this project is inevitably a lower priority at the present time. Other projects must be given a high priority due to their clear community need and this priority is clearly demonstrated with respect to the youth space project. A Town Plan There is also a need to develop a strategy for the delivery of these projects. At the current time South Hams District Council is preparing various elements of the Local Development Framework which replaces the Local Plan process for the guidance of not only land use development but also many other issues. It is therefore an opportune time to consider the preparation of a Town Plan for Totnes. This would have many benefits in making the link between the issues facing Totnes as a town such as: Poor condition of the public realm This process needs to be carried out by a consultancy group advised by representatives of all the strategic partners in the town: It is essential that the importance of the built heritage of Totnes is acknowledged by these strategic partners and invested in. The future prosperity of Totnes is inextricably linked to its past and this must be acknowledged and celebrated. A Town Plan is an essential step in bringing forward a “whole town “approach to understanding the issues facing Totnes and for developing an effective economic regeneration programme. Economy and Tourism projects Road Train The inaccessibility of High Street / Fore Street and the poor pedestrian links between the Station and the Town Centre could be addressed through linked initiatives. The ‘Bob the Bus’ scheme that already exists is an excellent service; this could possibly be extended to be scheduled to pick up tourists upon arrival at the Train station. Visitors could be given a quick tour of the town before being dropped at their accommodation. The inaccessibility of the main shopping area could be addressed by running ‘Bob the Bus’ / a road train on a circular route picking up the car parks to the South of the town and linking the Plains to the historical core. Further Info from existing initiatives: Cardiff Road Train "http://www.cardiffroadtrain.com" www.cardiffroadtrain.comKeith Munro "mailto:roadtrain@ntlworld.com" roadtrain@ntlworld.comTel: 07977 905 389 or 02920 512729 Arbroath Road Train – run by Angus District Council, train purchasedfrom private owner in 1995 for a cost of £65,000 and is now run wholly by the local authority. Info on running costs, level of local authority Subsidy and annual income available. Co-active – "http://www.co-active.org.uk" www.co-active.org.uk, 01752 500888 Community Council of Devon – "http://www.devonrcc.org.uk" www.devonrcc.org.uk; 01392 383443 Riverside Market Project This project idea emerged from the Town Analysis work carried out for the Community Plan. There are in excess of 700,000 visitors using Steamer Quay each year, generally arriving or departing by coach having taken a trip on the Dart to or from Dartmouth. Steamer Quay is located at some distance from the town centre and the route to the town centre is not straightforward. It may also be true in some instances that for visitors on organised trips there is insufficient time to walk into the town centre. The result is that the average spend for visitors to steamer Quay is extremely low. It is of great importance to the Community and Town to develop a way of encouraging visitors to spend more money- one way of doing so is to take the spending opportunity to the visitors rather than trying to get the visitors to the town- hence the idea of a market at Steamer Quay. It is of course important that any additional visitor spend directly supports the existing businesses in the town and the community as a whole so therefore rather than opening up Steamer Quay to just any market organisation it would seem appropriate to organise the market on the basis of giving the opportunity for existing traders in the town- maybe on a rolling programme to have stalls at the market. It is also important to ensure that the market reflects Totnes’ identity and areas of excellence- it may offer the opportunity for artisan’s and Artists, local food etc. There is also an opportunity for entertainment etc at the market. The market to be successful would need to be carefully controlled and managed and would need to be seen as a beneficial addition to the existing market rather than in competition with it. The seasonal nature of such a Market also needs to be recognised. Taking this project forward requires speaking at a very early stage with a number of key players-South Hams District Council as landowners, as the LPA and Authority responsible for Environmental Health, licensing etc: Town traders (either through the Chamber of Trade or directly)Riverlink Once general support for the project has been established the project can be developed. Project Steps Funding |
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Marketing of Totnes ISSUE: PROJECT ACTIONS Project Update Funding Business Day ISSUE: PROJECT ACTIONS Project Update Steamer Quay Market Tourist Information Since the publication of the plan with its suggestion of a review of the provision and location of tourist information it has been widely accepted that the existing tourist information centre is unlikely to be relocated. In addition the facility has been renamed as the Totnes Information Centre providing information for the community as a whole in addition to information for visitors. It now acts as a booking centre for cultural events and First Great Western bus journeys. In addition some funding has been secured to improve signage within the town however there are still opportunities for further improvements and additional funding spend on a comprehensive scheme for the town drawing in the train station too, would be well worth the investment. This should be part of the proposed Town Plan. The economic viability of the Tourist Information Centre is always in question and innovative ideas for the long-term sustainability of this important provision within the town need to be explored. It already provides a community information service but there are significant opportunities to expand this function and provide a “shop window” in numerous ways for the town. As with the Riverlink situation little capital is made of Totnes’s railway station- a great asset to the town and beneficial for its green credentials. Stronger links should be sort with the service providers and the opportunity for seeking funding and/or sponsorship for either the road train link to the town centre or interactive tourist information boards at the station should be sought. Improving tourist information links with other projects in the plan and is key to both improving prosperity and managing tourism effectively. Funding Heritage project ISSUE PROJECT ACTIONS Project update Lack of investment on the part of property owners The need to address the historic buildings issue was clearly identified in the Plan and one of the main projects identified has already been achieved with the recent completion of the Conservation Area Appraisal for Totnes along with a general register on the condition of listed Buildings in Totnes. However the next stage is to reverse the decline in the condition of these buildings and finding the right mechanism to achieve this. Progress has been made in co-ordinating the many community groups in Totnes with an interest in this work under an umbrella organisation known as the Heritage Group. Each member group seeks its own independent funding for projects in their specific field after consultation with the Heritage Group. The Heritage group has already produced a leaflet to be distributed by local Estate Agents selling Listed properties, which informs purchasers of their responsibilities and sources of advice. Advice Service for historic building owners This project may be best achieved through a partnership approach involving the Totnes & District Community Strategy Group, Totnes Town Council (as the owner of significant historic buildings), the Heritage Group and South Hams District Council (as the planning authority) and representative property owners. This partnership could seek to secure funding for a historic buildings advice and development officer to offer advice and support on preserving and enhancing Totnes’s historic buildings and engaging local people in heritage activities. This post could also be responsible for securing funding for a feasibility study of the Civic Hall. In addition other priority projects could be developed which acknowledge Totnes’ economic dependence on Heritage and utilise this as an opportunity to meet a number of other priority areas. Many of the Listed buildings in Fore Street/High Street are in a poor state, if not at ground floor level then often above street level. In addition the floors above street level are often empty or providing very sub-standard residential accommodation. A scheme similar to the “living over the shop” scheme could be developed which could bring back the upper floors of these buildings into beneficial use- ideally affordable housing- and improve and enhance the fabric of the listed buildings. Involving a Registered Social Landlord, for example Tor Homes would help to establish and facilitate this project. Alternatively a Local Housing Trust could be established under the umbrella of the Strategy Group. Alternatively this service could be developed by harnessing the knowledge and expertise of the Heritage groups on a charge basis to help fund community heritage projects to establish, for example a Community Land Trust, which could co-ordinate funding, and planning guidelines within the Totnes Conservation Area. English Heritage is always seeking new and innovative ways of delivering their ever-decreasing grant budget and an early discussion with them is recommended. Support Funding South Hams District Council Community Grants – relatively small amounts available but would show local commitment to project (a preferred requirement by Heritage Lottery) – "http://www.southhams.gov.uk/ksp-community-grants.htm" www.southhams.gov.uk/ksp-community-grants.htm; tel: Development Team on 01803 861 234. Totnes Town Council – could offer in kind support by hosting post, providing office space and payroll and line management function Civic Hall ISSUE PROJECT ACTIONS - INITIAL STEPS Consult stakeholders on findings of options appraisal and determine process for taking the project forward. Project Update This project is a particularly complex one but has the potential to unlock the regeneration of the centre of Totnes and build a new legacy to ensure the town’s continuing importance in the future. At present the burden of the lease (the building is held on a Full Repairing and Insuring Lease by the Town Council from South Hams DC) and repair costs fall on the Town Council and although much effort has been put into trying to find an appropriate way forward by the Civic Hall Group it is not possible for one group to tackle the overall long term problem. The Town Council have just established the Paige Adams Trust and transferred the Civic Hall to it. Consideration is being given to giving the Civic Hall a facelift however this approach will not deal with the fundamental issues around the building. There is at present a reluctance on the part of South Hams DC to enter into discussions as to the future of the site and it is essential for all stakeholders to acknowledge the problem and begin to address it and the lack of an understanding between partners and stakeholders as to how to tackle this issue mean that the process is effectively stalled. It Is however important in scoping this project to look beyond just the building itself but also at the market place, the buildings in the vicinity and the location in terms of acting as a gateway from the southern area into the town – historically as well as for the future. A number of community needs could be met by either the refurbishment or redevelopment of the Civic Hall- in terms of exhibition, meeting space etc however it is important to ensure that the potential for this site is explored in the widest possible way. It may be that this site can offer a mixed use solution- offering commercial, housing and community facilities. The need to provide hotel accommodation within the town has also been identified and the use of this site should explore all options. It may be that the development of this site unlocks funds for community provision on an alternative site, which would need to be identified during the process. Due to the understandable level of public interest in this project it seems necessary to introduce a mechanism which will enable the development of a project group which can safely explore all options whilst still keeping the community fully informed and at appropriate times involved. It may be appropriate to bring in a respected third party organisation such as the Princes Foundation or Cabe to initiate and guide the process. The success of the Totnes Festival will further fuel the need to tackle the need for improved community venues for art and cultural activities and the need for tourist accommodation within the town. Actions Funding The South West Regional Development Agency have now changed their rules on accessing funding through the Market and Coastal Towns Association and this may present an opportunity for this project. |
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Youth Space Provision ISSUE: PROJECT ACTIONS Project update There is a very strong feeling that the community itself and as a whole has to take on a much more proactive role in providing facilities for their young people in a way which is appropriate for the needs of the community. There provision of youth facilities is woefully inadequate 12.6% of the population in the Totnes area are aged 10-19, a total of 1,531 with currently a maximum provision for 50 young people through the current Devon Youth Service facility “Pulse”. To compound the problem this facility is not open at weekends. There has been an increasing trend albeit from a very small minority of young people to engage in anti- social behaviour in the town centre. This is not however surprising when consideration is given to the apparent lack of facilities for young people in the town. There would be a better understanding of the gaps in provision if an up-to-date audit of facilities were carried out including clubs and societies – both sporting and creative within the community. The Strategy Group has recently established a Youth Space and Youth Services Committee to review these issues and in recognition of the urgent need for action. The objectives of the group include the following: To undertake an audit of youth facilities available in Totnes and District. Another objective of the group has already been achieved by working in partnership to secure funding (£7,000) to make the Totnes Leisure Centre available to young people on a Friday night. This success illustrates the importance of community involvement in tackling community issues and also seeking shorter-term solutions whilst planning for the longer term. Funding The Big Lottery – Young People’s Fund: Grants to Individuals – this stream will fund young people’s ideas for projects that will make a difference to their community; minimum grant of £500 and a maximum of £5,000. NB closing date for programme if December 2006. "http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk" www.biglotteryfund.org.uk or tel: 0845 039 Local Network Fund – fund to support locally delivered activities in England for disadvantaged young people aged 0-19 years. Grant aided activities must fall within one of the 4 identified themes: aspirations & experiences; economic disadvantage; isolation and access; and children’s voices; fund to a maximum of £7,000 – preference is given to small projects where 70% or more of the projects costs are covered by the Local Network Grant. Tel: 0845 113 0161 (the fund is administered for central government by the Devon Community Foundation.) Henry Smith Charity – will fund projects that provide support to young people, particularly those living in areas of considerable deprivation. There are 3 grant streams and applicants must have charitable objectives; for full information on types of grants and criteria for accessing the various grant streams see "http://www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk" www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk Steve Redgrave Trust – grants are available to encourage the development of individuals and small charities and to help with the provision of facilities, with a particular focus on improving opportunities for children and young people. Emphasis is placed on improving the quality of young people’s lives in relation to medical, social, educational and economic needs. Applications in writing to the trust’s administrator: Mr. Adrian Milne, Sir Steve Redgrave Charitable Trust, PO Box 200, Petersfield, Hants GU32 2ZX, see "http://www.steveredgrave.com" www.steveredgrave.com Youth Opportunities Fund and Youth Capital Fund – circa £30,000 available each month (2006 – 2007) to fund youth led projects in Devon, administered via Devon Youth Service, "http://www.devonyouthservice.org.uk" www.devonyouthservice.org.uk. The Tudor Trust – majority of grants awarded are between £10,000 to £100,000, they fund practical projects across the UK, which encourages people to play a part in their community, particularly in urban, rural and coastal areas. The Trust is particularly interested in projects which involve organisations which are embedded in the community; organisations that provide direct services to marginalised people; projects that focus on increasing inclusion and minimising exclusion; those projects that can show high levels of user involvement; work which addresses complex issues in innovative ways (although the Trust also recognises the importance funding existing projects with proven track record) - "http://www.tudortrust.org.uk" www.tudortrust.org.uk Totnes Caring ISSUE: PROJECT ACTIONS Project Update This project is a valid one and the need for the service is backed by readily available statistics. There are a number of possible funding streams that could be pursued by Totnes Caring (and other projects with a focus on supporting older people). One innovation, which may be looked upon favourably by funders, might be considering ways in which a project supporting older people could be linked to a project supporting young people. For example, it may be possible to secure funding for a youth café in the town, which has sufficient office space to be used by Totnes Caring – Totnes Caring could pay rent for this space and provide an income stream for the youth café. Another idea might be to work with Council for Voluntary Service to secure funding which encourages young people to volunteer to work on older person’s projects and vice versa. Funding Garfield Weston Foundation – supports projects within a number of general fields, including, youth, welfare and social. Applicants must be a registered charity – "http://www.garfieldweston.org.uk" www.garfieldweston.org.uk. Tel: 020 7 399 6565 V – is an independent charity launched to champion youth volunteering in England and has a number of funding streams – these are closed at the moment but will re-open in the near future – "http://www.wearev.com" www.wearev.com Kelly Family Charitable Trust – funds projects concerned with the community and social welfare, fund small organisations operating at a local level to a maximum of £6,000, 2 application deadlines – March 1st and August 1st, contact "mailto:armstrong@learmonth9.freeserve.co.uk" armstrong@learmonth9.freeserve.co.uk Big Lottery Fund – Reaching Communities – minimum grant is £10,001 and maximum is £500, 000 – this is a demand led programme which encourages voluntary and community organisations to identify their own local needs for funding – "http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk" www.biglotteryfund.org.uk or tel: 0845 039 0204. The Tudor Trust – majority of grants awarded are between £10,000 to £100,000, they fund practical projects across the UK, which encourages people to play a part in their community, particularly in urban, rural and coastal areas. The Trust is particularly interested in projects which involve organisations which are embedded in the community; organisations that provide direct services to marginalised people; projects that focus on increasing inclusion and minimising exclusion; those projects that can show high levels of user involvement; work which addresses complex issues in innovative ways (although the Trust also recognises the importance funding existing projects with proven track record) - "http://www.tudortrust.org.uk" www.tudortrust.org.uk Arts, Heritage and Culture ISSUE: PROJECT ACTIONS Project update It is hoped that the success of this event will bring forward other projects to promote arts and culture and economic success. Funding Esmee Fairbairn Foundation – within this Foundation’s Arts and Heritage Funding stream, until April 2008, there is a focus on supporting contemporary Visual Arts, including architecture, crafts, design, fine art, new media, photography, public art and sculpture. There is no minimum or maximum grant size. In 2005, the average grant awarded was £52,795. "http://www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk" www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk. Tel: 020 7 297 4719 The Arts Council High Street/Fore Street enhancement scheme ISSUE: PROJECT ACTIONS Project update These steps could be introduced as an interim method to improve the experience for pedestrians and vehicle users alike whilst funding is sought for the longer-term street enhancement works. Rotherfold ISSUE: PROJECT ACTIONS Project update |
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