South Tawton Parish Council Report

Meeting with South Tawton Parish Council 21st November 2022

Report to Sticklepath Parish Council 5th December 2022

Content:

An invitation was made for me to attend South Tawton Parish Council (STPC) to present the following issues:

1. Recent concerns over Anti-Social incidents occurring in both parishes
2. Concerns over the maintenance of highways, and the potential appointment of a Road Warden
3. Concerns for the future of the South Zeal stores and the post office services

Responses

There was an opportunity to make an initial presentation at the start of their meeting, with some limited opportunity for discussion.

1. There have not been any reports to STPC of any recent repeat of similar damage or behaviours that had occurred in the summer. However, there were underlying concerns of which members of the Council were aware. It was agreed that increased community awareness and diligence was a better way to prevent incidents happening again.                  There was an initial response to set up a WhatsApp group to alert specific Councillors to concerns which could increase presence around the villages. ( Cllr. Jane Wight to coordinate for STPC).  The topic would be on their agenda for the next meeting.

NB The idea of a shared Neighbourhood Watch Scheme was shared after the meeting. However, these schemes are usually created by local residents/volunteers and not by Parish Councils. Moreover, there is an understanding that recent incidents are not typical. Levels of crime and disturbance are traditionally low, the level of community concern is relatively low and there are already good social networks which have responded. We could actually be advertising that we have problems by encouraging a formal scheme.      However, for more information, I subsequently registered personally, and more information can be seen on https://www.ourwatch.org.uk

2. STPC members explained that they had considered a Road Warden Scheme some 5 years ago, but felt then that the amount of support, resources etc that DCC would provide made this unattractive. However, noting that road conditions have deteriorated further, they will table an item for their December meeting.

3. Cllr Ken Crawford had tabled a report to STPC re the Stores ( see attached). His request to consider formal support from STPC will be considered next meeting. However, he indicated that the potential to create a community shop has progressed.  The Plunkett foundation has sources of grants to help plan and purchase stores for community purpose. There is some consumer, volunteer and local investment interest and some potential for a range of new services to be provided, potentially in collaboration with other villages’ stores. I indicated that the 3 Parish Councils with outreach post office services have identified representatives willing to work on strategies to maintain these weekly visits.

Cllr. Moore   
28^th November 2022

Would you use “The Stores”

In order to assess the local reaction to the possibility of “The Stores” in South Zeal on the 23^rd October 2022 an online survey was posted on the “Save South Zeal Stores” facebook page  https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/k5CPEP4f  and to other local pages.

At the beginning of November, paper copies were distributed to every household in South Zeal.

As at the 19^th November 179 responses have been received. ( now 194  28/11/22)

“The Stores“ operates at three Post Office outreach centres, Belstone, Sticklepath and Throwleigh, the results below exclude the 38 from these villages. Sticklepath has its own small shop and Belstone and Throwleigh are too far away from South Zeal to make daily visits viable.

The outreach Post Office villages are unlikely to use “The Stores” on a regular basis, however, the fate of “The Stores” is important to them.

92% of replies rate the importance of “The Stores” at 7-10, 59% rate it at 10

The 141 replies from South Zeal represent 41% of South Zeal of which 70%+ use “The Stores” at least once a week with the majority 2-3 times a week, this gives a footfall of 60 per day. To reach “The Stores” declared turnover of £147,000 these would have to spend an average of £7.60. Remember that the remaining 60% will use the store too and with 36% saying that they would use the café/tearoom there is the revenue from those too.

We have 37 people (16%) offering donations and loans and 39 (23%) will buy shares

The point at which the Plunkett Foundation will appoint an adviser has been reached with the application going forward when all the responses have been collected at the end of November with a view to holding a public meeting in January.

Cllr. Ken Crawford
South Tawton Parish Council