Devon County Council leader John Hart to visit Okehampton

 

 

Devon County Council leader John Hart

will be visiting Okehampton on Wednesday 24 October as part of series of

consultation events in Devon's market and coastal towns "to hear how the

authority can help local people improve local life".

 

For the past three years Mr Hart has held

consultations events Devon. This year's event will focus on local community

action. According to a DCC spokesman, "It will concentrate on identifying local

priorities and how Devon County Council can help and support communities

improve life for local people by making changes or initiating new projects".

 

DCC says that the feedback from these

meetings – and online responses too – has helped county leaders take "tough

choices and ensured scarce resources are concentrated on the things most

important to Devon people".

 

Mr Hart said: "We're still in tough

economic times and we can no longer do everything people want or that we would

like to. But we are determined to support communities which wish to take action

themselves.

"Across Devon there's a growing number

of communities working in a different way and bringing about change. However we

can do so much more by working more closely together."

Mr Hart said there were many projects

across the county being run by local people, for local people with the backing

of the county council. They included and a group established to tidy up

Tavistock's appearance, community libraries set in shops and pubs, volunteer

community transport and volunteers providing a safe meeting place for young

people in Sidmouth.

"Now more than ever, communities have

the opportunity to have more influence and take control over local priorities

and services," he said. "Only by all working together in a new way will local

priorities be delivered. The more communities take part in the events in person

or online, the more we can do to work together to make it happen."

 

"Your Community, Your Choice" will be at

6:30pm on Wednesday 24 October

The Charter Hall, Market Street, Okehampton EX20 1HN. No pre-booking is

required. There will be the opportunity to talk to John Hart as well as local

county councillors about any issues affecting the community.

There is also the opportunity for communities to get involved on the website www.devon.gov.uk/localchoices,

and through discussion boards and twitter @devoncc #ycyc

 

Anyone planning on attending one of the

events and who has any special requirements, should call 01392 383416, or email

marketing@devon.gov.uk