Newton Abbot Town Council sets out its stall

Newton Abbot Town Council sets out its stall.

THE latest event designed to highlight roles played by Newton Abbot Town Council has been hailed a success.

Members and officers took a stall in Courtenay Street on Saturday [October 3] where the Meet Your Councillor initiative encouraged passers-by to pose questions and offer comments.

Surveys asked residents, visitors and traders what was good and not so good about Newton Abbot and invited suggestions for change.

Also highlighted was the Town Council’s continued presence in the area’s future governance, despite any wider changes the ongoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) might bring about.

People were asked to think forward to next spring and consider if they might stand as candidates in the May 2027 election.

Town Clerk Phil Rowe said: ‘It’s never been easy for the public to understand the different roles played by parish, town, district and county councils and the LGR process probably hasn’t helped that so we’re here to say that Newton Abbot Town Council will still be going strong, long after the dust has settled and we know the bigger picture for Devon.

‘The reception we’ve been getting is very good with residents pleased to see us putting our faces in front of theirs with no place to hide.

‘We’ll take a look at all the comments that have been made and see how we can work them into council business or ensure that they’re passed to the relevant bodies that can deal with them.

‘We thank everyone who took the time to come and talk. We’ve probably met more people here in one day than we would in an entire year of council meetings.’

It’s far from the first time the Town Council has taken a stall in the town centre, the last being earlier this year for the Annual Town Meeting.

Also taking part this weekend was the Museum, Community Transport, Teignbridge District Council and others.

Wailim Wong of Citizens Advice Teignbridge said: ‘The Town Council kindly invited us to show what we’re doing and explain what we’re for, how we can help if people have any issues such as benefits, debt or housing.

‘We’re also looking out for volunteers to act as advisors or help with administration.

‘It’s good to be here when the town is busy and we could always do with more opportunities like this so we’ll be back in November to plug our energy campaign when bills will be going up again.’