Totnes Community Budgeting

What do you want in Totnes?

Participatory budgeting is recognised as a way for local people to have a direct say in how, and where, public funds can be used to address local needs.

In view of this, it would be very helpful if you could complete this short survey to help us prioritise Town Council expenditure from the 2018/19 financial year.

The deadline for responses is 5pm on Wednesday 15th November 2017 by email, in person, by post or by survey monkey (it should only take about a minute to complete!)

Question Title

* 1. Which of the following themes is most important to you as a resident or worker in Totnes? (if more than one please prioritise 1 – 5 with 1 being the most important):

Tourism and the economy – signage, visitor information officer

The environment of the town – cleanliness, planting, security

Our Totnes heritage – historic buildings and traditions, keeping the Museum open

Opening up the Arts – events, arts space, public art, improvements to skate park

Social – supporting vulnerable local people and Caring Town, supporting Citizens Advice

Question Title

* 2. The Town Council are not currently proposing an increase in Council Tax in 2018/19 to provide services. However with cuts to funding expected in future years which option would you like to see?

No increase in Council Tax and cuts made to local projects and services

Small increases in Council Tax to maintain local services and projects outlined in this survey

Larger increases in Council Tax to improve and develop local services

Question Title

* 3. Through the Community budgeting process local people were asked for their ideas to improve life in the town and the top suggestions are below. Can you please number your top 5 priorities from the 20 below, with 1 being the most important and 5 the least?

A Visitor Information Officer is essential, based in the town centre.

Visitor Information Point that sells tickets for attractions and events is needed.

New, branded signage, maps and community noticeboards around the town for visitors and local people would help coordinate where all the different services and attractions are.

Employing a ‘Town Officer’ - general maintenance/ town manager role to assist with gardening, tidying up streets, street furniture licensing, supporting community events.

Problems of street cleaning and litter. New bins and recycling facilities needed.

Additional planting and other schemes directly around Fore Street/High Street to slow traffic in the town.

Additional planting and other schemes to improve the appearance of the town generally (i.e planters on the Plains, additional wildflower areas, additional and improved street furniture)

Maintenance of the town – encourage businesses and house owners to keep shop fronts clean and buildings maintained.

Develop the museum as a heritage centre.

Continued current financial support for Totnes Museum to operate and consider extending opening hours to include Saturdays.

Funding allocated for improvements to the Skate Park on Borough Park

More support for Totnes Carnival, consider including a celebration of the arts.

Investigate a Fun Fair in Borough Park during carnival week.

Make the Civic Hall more attractive – e.g. get local artists to redesign and make curtains, upgrade the railings.

Commission murals/sculptures etc. in public spaces such as the market square to improve the appearance and provide enrichment

Provide a small fund to subsidise or provide free use of the Civic Hall for local, non-profit events.

Develop an annual programme of events that bring in visitors and also enrich the lives of local people.

Develop and administer an Arts Directory as a one stop shop for local artists to market their location and work/services.

Continued support for the Caring Town Information Exchange to operate from the Mansion and assist vulnerable members of our community through the Caring Town network and other partner agencies

Funding allocated to support the Citizens Advice based at Follaton House

Question Title

* 4. Additional feedback - Please detail out any further information you think would be useful, in particular any amendments to existing proposals or any new proposals for potential budget allocation.