DECISIONS about many issues, including whether to pay Mid Devon District Council to retain a number of the town’s play areas it is proposing to close, are on the agenda for next Tuesday’s meeting of Crediton Town Council.

The council will also have to make a decision about a plan for a totem pole, a proposal to create Crediton Woods, consider a request to open a town Information Centre, decide on a number of planning issues and discuss what to do about outstanding debts.

Also at the meeting, which will take place in the Council Chamber, Market Street, from 7pm on Tuesday, September 22, it will review the budget for the year, to date, consider grant funding for Crediton Age Concern and decide what to do about future grass cutting in the town in response to Mid Devon District Council’s consultation.

The councillors will also discuss the outcomes of the Crediton Hospital public meeting, which it organised and was held on Wednesday, September 16, and agree any actions.

Significant changes to Crediton bus services come into effect on Sunday, September 20, the services reducing in the town due to cost implications and the councillors will have to agree any actions that it may be able to take.

The future of public conveniences in the town will also be discussed after the meeting considers correspondence received from Mid Devon District Council, which is proposing there are less public toilets due to cost implications.

Also due for consideration is a request from Mrs Margaret Haydon for the erection of a small memorial plaque to be located at Upper Deck in memory of her late husband, former councillor and town mayor, Mr Charlie Haydon.

Crediton Bowls Club would also like to install an automatic watering system to the green in Newcombes Meadow and this will also be considered.

PLAY AREA FUNDING

MDDC is proposing the closure of play areas at Greenway, Fulda Crescent, Spinning Path Gardens and Beech Park.

Crediton Town Council is being asked to consider making a financial contribution towards the named Crediton play areas in the financial year 2016-17 and/or whether the town council wishes to lease any play areas from MDDC.

The suggestion for a Totem Pole at Peoples Park Scout Memorial Garden is being proposed by the First Crediton Scouts as a memorial for Samuel Crocker.

The Crediton Woods proposal has been made by a local resident.

The author of the letter writes: “I have been giving some thought to the future enhancement of Crediton.

“I wish to propose that Crediton establishes a local woodland with easy access and a range of walking/nature appreciation/and children’s open play areas.

“I would like to suggest that an area be designated as Crediton Woods for these purposes.

“It seems to me that the best site for such a scheme would be the field that overlooks the town from the South, which I believe to be currently owned by the Downes Estate.

“I recently attended the opening of the Sandford cider business and was pleased to see on display an old aerial view of that end of the town.

“This included a good view of this field which was, at that time, as many of you will know, an orchard.

“So, if this idea were to succeed, we might in a sense be returning picturesque views to our town.”

INFORMATION CENTRE

Evans Newsagents at 10 High Street, Crediton, is requesting that it becomes the official Information Centre for the town and is seeking the support of the council in this proposal.

It would like to use the Crediton logo, which is trademarked to the Town Council.

Evans Newsagents is open seven-days-a-week and for long hours, which, it is believed, would be a benefit to visitors to the town and for those seeking information.

Crediton Age Concern has applied for a grant of £1,000 from Crediton Town Council for the financial year 2015-16.

Crediton Town Council, at the meeting, will also consider its position regarding the future of Crediton Town Square.

The public is invited to attend meetings and there is a public question time at the beginning of the meeting where members of the public can ask questions relevant to the work of the council.

At the discretion of the chairman, the order of business of agenda items can be adjusted to accommodate visiting officers or members of the public.