Calls for Plympton independence

35,000 population but doesn't have town council

A call for Plympton to become independent from Plymouth and have its own town council is gaining support in the community.

Plympton’s four Independent councillors  – Patrick Nicholson, Terri Beer, Andrea Loveridge and Sally Nicholson – are proposing the move as the government seeks to improve local engagement between councils and their communities under local government reorganisation.

Green councillor for Plympton Chaddlewood Ian Poyser says he also “totally supports” this proposal and that there is scope under the government’s plan to adopt this level of neighbourhood governance.

Plympton’s population is around 35,000 residents and it once had a parish council for over 70 years but in 1967 administration passed to Plymouth City Council.

Cllr Patrick Nicholson (Plympton St Mary) says it’s time Plympton gained its independence back.

He claims residents and businesses will all benefit from having a town council which is closer to the community with better “community cohesion”.

“Plympton needs improved neighbourhood engagement,” he said. “Ivybridge, Tavistock and Totnes are all smaller than Plympton but have their own independent town councils and a local voice. 

“Plympton deserves the same and we are calling on local residents to back our proposal.”

He said so far he had not spoken to anyone who was against the idea but was keen on getting a lot more feedback.

The town council would have to set a precept, which is the amount of money it needs to raise through council tax to fund its services each year.

Cllr Nicholson said it would be a “small amount” added to the total council tax bill which includes paying for services from the Plymouth City Council, as the unitary council, including adult and child social care, libraries and waste collections and the police and fire authorities.

A town council could be responsible for Plympton’s Ridgeway shopping centre, car parks, allotments, community facilities, public toilets, some local parks and potentially Longcause cemetery and Christmas lights, said the councillor.

It would also be a consultee on planning and licensing applications in the community.

Cllr Terri Beer’s social media post on the idea has received positive comments from local residents.

One said on Facebook the condition of the Longcause cemetery had deteriorated since Plymouth City Council had taken it over: “As a child this cemetery and others around Plympton were superb and the grass was cut like Wembley turf,” they said.

It was a sorry day when Plympton and Plymstock were taken over by Plymouth City Council,” said another.

Others said they thought a town council for Plymouth was “a cracking idea”.

However some have raised concerns over finance: “Does/would Plympton generate enough income to provide council services it currently gets provided to its population,” said one.

Cllr Beer said Plympton had been neglected under a larger council as she claimed money went to the more deprived areas.

“I understand that money needs to go where it is needed most but there are deprived areas in Plympton too,” she said.

“This area has the highest collection rate for council tax and I think people expect some of it to be spent here.”

“Plympton is a very tight knit community and we feel it would benefit from a town council where people can see their money being used directly to improve public toilets and playgrounds.

Cllr Andrea Loveridge (Plympton Erle) who owns a business in Plympton said there was far too little consultation between Plymouth City Council and Plympton businesses at the moment and a town council could also enhance Ridgeway Shopping Centre.

Cllr Sally Nicholson (Plympton St Mary) added: “Plympton has seen many council cuts over recent years which has removed many of the most local service provision.

“We have also been threatened with car parking charges, the potential loss of Harewood House and the Ridgeway public toilets, under the last Conservative council. An independent town council working with Plympton residents would be a win-win for Plympton.”

Cllr Jemima Laing (Lab, Stoke), deputy leader of Plymouth City Council said: “This council tries to do its utmost for all its residents – whether they live in Barne Barton or Plympton.

She said whilst the council made no apology for focusing funding on helping those who need it most, if any Plympton councillors felt there were any areas or projects that were missing out, they should let the cabinet member for finance know, and he could look into it for them.

“I am not sure plans for Plympton to become a town in its own right would make much headway under the latest local government reorganisation.

“Local Government reorganisation back in 1974 was specifically to address efficiency concerns, with many of the area authorities out-dated and no longer reflecting the pattern of life and work of residents. A huge number of Plympton residents work in Plymouth, use its roads, schools and enjoy its life. They should have representation on a city-wide council – something they currently have.”