WORDS FROM PHOENIX HOUSE
AS we approach the end of our first year as a new Liberal Democrat administration and my first year as council leader, I find myself reflecting on the ambitious pledges we made to the electorate 12 months ago. It has been a year of challenges, successes and growth for Mid Devon District Council, and I am honoured to share with you our progress and accomplishments thus far.
One of our primary commitments was to close the money-wasting arm’s-length property company, a promise we have fulfilled with all assets now transferred to Mid Devon council. Additionally, our promise to transform the St George’s Court site in Tiverton into council homes for local people is well under way, marking a significant step towards addressing housing needs in our community.
Another crucial pledge was to bring financial stability to Mid Devon council. I am proud to announce that this year we have delivered a fully balanced budget without tapping into reserves.
We have remained dedicated to building more social and affordable homes. Just last month we welcomed new residents to our first modular homes in Cullompton, with plans for similar developments across the district. We recognise the importance of enabling residents to remain in their communities.
Addressing the pressing issue of climate change has also been a priority for our administration. We established a cabinet portfolio dedicated to tackling this. We have delivered improvements across our sites by switching to green electrical energy. We recently secured funding from Sport England to fund a new heating unit and provide an additional 50kw of solar PV to make our Exe Valley leisure centre one of the most self-sufficient in the country.
We committed to protect our swimming pools, paddling pools and leisure centres. We know how much they mean to our residents and the health benefits and enjoyment they bring.
We committed to stop the extortionate parking increases in our car parks. We are now working with businesses and councils to properly discuss the increases in parking charges and to ensure they are only in line with inflation, and supported our town centres.
We are seeking stronger working relationships with our parish and town councils, exemplified by a recent collaborative event where we sought input from our parish councillors on their key issues and priorities, to identify areas where we can support each other.
On April 2, Mid Devon District Council celebrated its 50th anniversary at Phoenix House, where past and future leaders gathered to commemorate our shared history and discuss our vision for the future. It was a momentous occasion, which underscored my commitment to building upon the legacy of those who have served before us and shaping the next 50 years of progress and prosperity for Mid Devon.
While our journey has not been without its challenges, I am proud of the progress we have made thus far. The trust and confidence that you, the residents, placed in us last May have been instrumental in driving our efforts forward.
As Liberal Democrats we are committed to delivering on our promises and making tangible improvements in the lives of our constituents, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to serving the best interests of Mid Devon.
As we embark on our second year together, I am confident that we can continue to build a brighter, more prosperous future for Mid Devon.
Cllr Luke Taylor leader, Mid Devon District Council,
Bradninch ward