The 2020 AGM looked at ongoing projects the Group is involved in:
VGS: “New Chair and New Ventures for 2021” – Vision Group for Sidmouth
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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