AGM, Projects 2020

The 2020 AGM looked at ongoing projects the Group is involved in:

VGS: “New Chair and New Ventures for 2021” – Vision Group for Sidmouth

Minutes 12th November 2020

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Here’s a full list of those projects, with links and further information.

Projects initiated by VGS and partners:

• Community Market: still happening, but cancelled due to Covid: Sidmouth Community Market – Vision Group for Sidmouth

• Food Group: the Sid Valley Biodiversity Group is interested in horticulture: Sid Valley Biodiversity Group and Sid Valley Biodiversity | Facebook

• SidEnergy: our only local energy group/venture had to be shelved in 2016 – but there is still some activity: SidEnergy – Vision Group for Sidmouth

• Sustainable Sidmouth: Cllr Denise Bickley of the Plastic Warriors is interested in putting together a series of joint awards: Sustainable Sidmouth and the Transition Town movement – Vision Group for Sidmouth

• Green Growth: the Science Festival, together with VGS and partners, put together a programme early 2020: The Clean Growth project from the Science Festival – Vision Group for Sidmouth

  • With some comment from the VGS: Clean Growth for Sidmouth 2020 – Vision Group for Sidmouth and “There is no such thing as green growth” – Vision Group for Sidmouth

• The Arches project: a VGS initiative which will need STC support: more later

• Coastal Communities Team: a joint VGS/Chamber initiative which will need STC/EDDC support: Coastal Community Teams | Coastal Communities Alliance

• E-trike project: Should Sidmouth have its own e-trike service? Press reports – Vision Group for Sidmouth

  • STC Environment Cttee is offering funding for a study: under ‘budget planning’: https://www.sidmouth.gov.uk/images/Mins-ENV-121020.pdf

  • There are alternatives: Shop online, shop local and get your shopping delivered – Vision Group for Sidmouth

Beyond the AGM: other possible projects initiated by VGS and partners:

• Jetty: this has a long history: Beach Management Plan: a history of proposing a jetty – Vision Group for Sidmouth

• River Sid: there are several possibilities: River Sid | sidvaleassociation.org.uk and Looking after the River Sid – the restoration project making a splash in East Devon | The Exeter Daily

• Planting Trees: another project idea involving several groups, including the SVBG, the Arboretum and the VGS: Sidmouth Arboretum

Official projects VGS is involved in:

See also: What is the VGS currently involved in? – Vision Group for Sidmouth

• BMP: You searched for beach management plan – Vision Group for Sidmouth

• Traffic: the latest idea is ‘low-traffic neighbourhoods’ (LTNs): The questions around Low-Traffic Neighbourhoods – Vision Group for Sidmouth

  • the STC Environment Cttee is pushing for car-free days: Going car-free – Vision Group for Sidmouth

• Cycling and Sustrans: their reports are excellent: Sidmouth and East Devon cycle network study > now available – Vision Group for Sidmouth

  • With comment from the VGS: Sidmouth cycle paths: when and how much? – Vision Group for Sidmouth

  • Sustrans have a regular newsletter: April Sustrans newsletter: on your bike! – Vision Group for Sidmouth

  • The current Covid crisis offers opportunities, and not only LTNs: Build back better: a green recovery – Vision Group for Sidmouth

  • Cathy Debenham’s Seven Hills route is very attractive: Bike Guide Devon | About and Bike Guide Devon | Facebook

  • The Sid Valley Ring provides a template for another non-official project: Sid Valley Ring – Vision Group for Sidmouth and Sid Valley Ring Walk

• Tourism & Publicity: there are lots of initiatives coming out of the STC Tourism and Economy Cttee:

  • VGS was asked to contribute to the Tourism & Promotion Strategy TAFF July 2019: see doc submitted: Tourism & Economy TAFF – Vision Group submission – 24jul19 and STC ECONOMY AND TOURISM TAFF – VGS EVIDENCE – JULY 2019 – ethical and responsible tourism   

  • There is some overlap with STC’s Environment Cttee: Environment Committee Meetings – Sidmouth Town Council

  • In parallel there is the independent Festival Cttee: 2017 Making Sidmouth a Festival town – Vision Group for Sidmouth

  • There is the massive area of ‘heritage’ which could be exploited much more: Art, Culture and Tourism – Vision Group for Sidmouth and Futures Forum: Sidmouth has the largest number of listed buildings in East Devon

• Port Royal regeneration includes joined up thinking from Eastern Town and along the Esplanade: eg: Futures Forum: The Neighbourhood Plan connected to > The Port Royal scoping report connected to > The Beach Management Plan connected to > The Re-imagining Port Royal architecture competition >>> “We should look at everything that’s currently on the table and try to do some joined up thinking!”

• The SV Neighbourhood Plan has specific Policies on much of the above: https://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/3454115/svnp-adopted-version.pdf

  • The excellent Place Analysis from Creating Excellence provides key information: Sid Valley Place Analysis – Creating Excellence

  • The VGS can ensure a more proactive engagement with the SVNP’s Policies and Community Actions through the STC’s Tourism & Economy Cttee and Environment Cttee.

• The EDDC Local Plan process will begin soon: Work to begin on new Local Plan for East Devon – Devon Live

  • VGS has contributed before: 2015 Vision Group comment on draft Local Plan – Vision Group for Sidmouth

  • The VGS website has further resources: Sidmouth in EDDC’s Local Plan – Vision Group for Sidmouth

  • The FF blog carried lots of comment on the process: Futures Forum: Search results for local plan

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Based on the Minutes of the VGS AGM 2020:

https://visionforsidmouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minutes-of-the-2020-AGM.pdf