RESIDENTS in Mid Devon are being urged to share their views about council services provided by Mid Devon District Council.

A new residents’ survey is now open and MDDC is encouraging everyone to take part, to share their views and priorities for their council.

The survey is open throughout November and the results will feed into MDDC’s budget setting process, as well as the Council’s future plans for prioritising services.

This year questions include topics such as climate change and economic recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic, as well as listening to how communities feel about the current service provision and where this can be improved.

The survey is anonymous and a summary of the results will be published on the MDDC website.

Leader of Mid Devon District Council, Cllr Bob Deed, said: “While the Council runs many surveys throughout the year, on specific topics, this is about a much broader conversation and will help us see what our communities think, what we do well and what we can do better. It really is your chance to tell us your views.”

Chief Executive of the Council, Stephen Walford said: “We know life has changed for communities in Mid Devon, as it has for everyone as a result of the pandemic, which is why now is a good time to ask our residents for their thoughts and ideas.

"We really want to know what your priorities are for our district, where you want our resources to be spent, where you would rather we made savings and to have an input to shape the future direction of your Council.”

Mid Devon District Council spends approximately £13m each year providing a diverse range of services including: recycling and waste collection, street cleansing, accommodation for the homeless, leisure services, planning services, building control services, parks and open spaces and also safeguarding and community safety.

Each year the Council has to balance its spending against money available in the form of Government Grants, Council Tax and Business Rates.

During the last decade the Council has delivered a range of efficiencies totalling more than £4m, whilst continuing to deliver the key services.

Despite this the Council continues to face budgetary pressures from issues like Covid-19, rising inflation and increasing demand for public services.

However, the money that it has to pay for these services is reducing, creating what it believes will be a budget gap of around £2m across the next five years.

The survey can be completed online and should take no more than 10 minutes. It can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BQT3GNR .

If you need help completing the survey, or require a paper copy, please contact Customer Services at MDDC on 01884 255255. The deadline for responses is November 30, 2021.