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From Your District Councillors…

After a passionate speech in support of The Plough Arts Centre from Cllr Lauren Bright at the Full Council meeting on June 19th, councillors voted unanimously to approve a funding package of £10,000 per year for three years. Following a drawn-out process to secure this funding, your District Councillor team are very pleased that Torridge has made this commitment to support the vital and unique work that The Plough does, not only here in Torrington but across all of its venues and hubs.

You may remember that a statue of Sister Nivedita, who grew up in Torrington before dedicating her life to tackling inequality and poverty in India, was installed in the cemetery in 2019. At the beginning of July, Cllr Doug Smith travelled to a second statue unveiling ceremony in Wimbledon, and he was delighted to represent the town at this event, which highlighted the importance of her legacy and the power of her story to inspire future generations.

Devon County Council’s cabinet have voted to end the county’s mobile library service and replace it with a voluntary

James Waste Collection

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Licensed Waste Carrier No: CBDU269392 scheme, about which few details have been published. Cllr Cheryl CottleHunkin presented a petition with over 500 signatures and spoke in defence of the service, but to no avail. Torridge unanimously supported a motion from Cllr Chris Wheatley to seek further information from DCC and we await a response.

The External Overview and Scrutiny Committee have called on Devon County Council to reconsider the planned closures of the North Devon Link Centres in Barnstaple, Bideford and Ilfracombe, which provide mental health support services in the district. DCC is now planning a further consultation on this decision; representatives have declined an invitation to attend the next committee meeting at Torridge.

Following the local elections in May 2023, which required electors to present ID at polling stations in order to be able to vote, Torridge officers have reported that 50 people were turned away and 17 people returned with ID, so 33 people across Torridge did not end up voting. It was a single case of voter fraud in the UK which allegedly prompted these changes.

Several reports have been received about the poor condition of the town’s cemetery, including slippery paths, long grass and scattered pots. Cllr Chris Bright is engaging with officers to try to understand what has been happening and what can be done to resolve it.

There is ambitious and exciting work being done at Torridge District Council on the future of the Northern Devon economy, including opportunities in green energy and aquaculture, as well as a fresh approach to culture and creatives. Officers are working closely with the district’s business leaders, Petroc and other partners to put together this economic strategy, and a number of important decisions are due to come before councillors in the months ahead. We look forward to reporting on these in due course.

Cllr Doug Smith, Councillor.smith@ torridge.gov.uk, 07970 636 199

Cllr Lauren Bright, Cllr. laurenbright@torridge. gov.uk, 07595 659 310

Cllr Chris Bright, Councillor.bright@ torridge.gov.uk, 07936 325 909

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A J Installations

Alistair McMillan specialising in Aerial, Satellite and TV Installations

Got equipment you can’t use properly? We offer a friendly step-by-step instruction service

With over 35 years’ experience in the North Devon area Phone Ali on 01805 804626 or 0797 781 00 88