Sidmouth Town Council works with many organisations across the community to support those living in, or visiting, the Sid Valley. At the April monthly meeting two such organisations were represented; South West Water and Sidmouth School of Art.

South West Water briefed councillors on its plans to update the sewerage system in the Sid Valley. There are three key components which, once installed, should significantly reduce the frequency with which untreated sewage is spilt into the Sid or the sea; something that has rightly been upsetting the community, whether or not they swim in the sea.

The plan is to reduce the amount of clean water entering the foul sewer and to increase storage capacity. The first element is to line many of the sewers where there is infiltration from ground water. This work has already started and more will be done. The second element is the separation of surface water from the sewers, for example in car parks. This will mean there is less sewage to treat and so the system should not get overloaded. And the final element is to increase the size of the storage tank at the Ham so more sewage can be stored, before it is pumped up to Sidford for treatment. At the moment the current tank gets filled up too quickly in heavy rain, meaning that the excess has to be split untreated. The plan is to almost double the storage and this work is scheduled to start in September and it will take until spring 2025 to complete. The Town Council will continue to meet with South West Water to ensure the system is updated and meets the standards we all expect.

In complete contrast, Sidmouth School of Art briefed councillors on the Festival of Flags they are planning during the summer. At the meeting they asked for permission to use the Council’s catenary wires that are stretched across Fore Street, and elsewhere, and which are normally used for the Christmas decorations. The idea is great but the Council wanted to ensure that firstly they are safe, but also that they would enhance the main shopping areas. The flags are to be designed to celebrate the many voluntary groups in the Valley, and will be done so under professional guidance ensuring a good quality creation. Installation will be done by the same company that successfully install the lights each year. With these assurances the Council was very happy to give permission and we will look forward to seeing the flags in the summer.

The Council has a relatively small staff and so we always seek to work with others so we can maximise the impacts for the benefit of the community. This can take a number of forms.

- The Council gives grants annually, which I have discussed in a previous article in the Herald, to help provide services and to support events,

 - The Council gives permission to use its property, as we did with the flags, and as we do for the Ham for the various Festivals the town hosts,

- The Council works with other organisations where cooperation can provide mutual benefit, as we have with other local towns in the Coast meets Country tourism project, and finally,

- The Council urges other authorities and companies to invest in Sidmouth to improve our facilities and infrastructure, as we have with South West Water.

By providing positive cooperation with other people and organisations we believe we can maximise the benefit for the residents at minimum cost. If you have any comments on the services provided by Sidmouth Town Council, please contact us.