By Sue Read

AWARDS and services featured highly in the report on the past year by the chairman of Crediton Town Council at the annual town meeting.

Although organised by the town council, this was not a council meeting but representatives from town groups and organisations, and the town council, told the rest of the town what each organisation has been doing.

Cllr Frank Letch, Mayor of Crediton, reported that the council had been awarded Quality Council status through the Local Council Award Scheme, “the result of realistic ambition, hard work from our office staff and a commitment to engage with the community by councillors,” he said.

The town council’s strategic action plan was based on the needs of the community and supplying the services Mid Devon District and Devon County Councils were no longer providing.

Cllr Letch said this included keeping the public toilets open, weed control on the High Street, grass verge cutting, youth provision and taking on three play areas.

Its updated website had useful links and its ground floor office in the Market Street building was open every week day between 10am and 2pm.

The town council’s Keep Crediton Clean Campaign had seen litter picking groups such as Cubs, Scouts and Brownies at work. It also had delegated powers from the county council to manage flyposting and signs.

It continues to support youth work in the town which, said Cllr Letch, was “hard hit by the decision of the county council to close the youth centre.”

Town Council funds a new detached youth worker project and contributes towards the Youth Cafe.

Free bags for dog poo are available from the council office and the Mayor’s surgeries on the town square, the town council having bought 50,000 bags, although financial contribution is welcomed. It is also exploring how to increase the number of dog poo bins.

A number of events have seen the community work together to improve and look after the town, more entries in the council’s gardens competition while Crediton won a silver gilt award and Best New Entry award in the Britain in Bloom competition.

The town council launched the Redvers Ramble, encouraging people to walk the town’s many footpaths as well as, hopefully, walk towards a more healthy lifestyle.

Community Payback had been working around the town including at the Railway Station car park, the steps and footpath leading to Barnfield and the footpaths on Lords Meadow Industrial Estate.

Work continues on the wildlife area on Peoples Park with Sunflower Day Nursery looking after the bird feeders, Pippins Pre-School helped with planting and volunteers were helping to plant and keep the area clean.

The town council has also produced a Wildlife Hunt to encourage young people to explore “this wonderful natural environment”.

Cllr Letch said the past 12 months had been busy for the town council and the Town Crier whose role was important in celebrating and rejoicing in the traditions.

He said he felt privileged to be the Mayor of Crediton and chairman of the town council.

PEOPLE SERVICES

Cllr Letch explained that after the district council closed its services in Crediton last year, the town council had to deal with some unexpected changes, including moving its office downstairs.

He said: “The impact of this was eased through the recruitment of a new receptionist, Mrs Sandie Blake, which was partly funded by the district council.

“The town council now has an assistant clerk, Emma, who has successfully completed her CiLCA qualification.”

Under Christmas in Crediton, Cllr Letch said this had been a success with the Exmouth Train being a hit and its expense justified, the fancy dress competition and the lights switch-on.

But on the other hand, with the road closure needed for the parade and the “small army” of stewards and marshals was a headache and took a lot of time and effort by the town council office staff.

Some of the street acts who had been booked had pulled out rather late which had caused concern. Cllr Letch said the whole event needed re-evaluating for this Christmas.

SPACE REPORTS

Once again, the town council had provided an array of floral displays last summer and, for the first time, a winter planting on the town square.

The four flower beds outside Redvers House had been planted with shrubs and six hanging baskets of flowers added.

As well as the success in Britain in Bloom for the town, Peoples Park and Newcombes Meadow were both awarded four-star rating for the Pride in Parks award.

Volunteers had litter picked around the town several times before the visit by the Britain in Bloom judges.

The town council has been working with the county council to create a safe pedestrian crossing point near Lords Meadow Leisure Centre plus widening Marsh Lane.

The town council continues to manage more than 100 allotments and is currently considering how to make some sites more accessible for those with mobility problems.

Another part of its work has been working with local groups and having commemorative trees planted in Peoples Park by both Crediton and District Lions Club and the First Crediton Scout Group.