Cllr David Thomas: Residents' surveys and holiday clubs

This week, we are launching our residents' survey - a way you can let us know your thoughts and feedback on how the council has been doing.
We want to put you at the heart of everything we do, and this will help us do that as we move forward.
In the ‘Your Say - Torbay Residents' Survey’, we will be asking a series of questions which will help us understand what you think of the council, the services we provide and if you feel you are getting value for money - positively or negatively.
We will also be asking about your sense of belonging in Torbay including how safe you feel during the day and after dark, plus your views on anti-social behaviour.
The survey starts tomorrow (Friday, June 30) and will be running for three weeks, closing on Friday, July 21. As well as being available online, we have organised a roadshow of events across Torbay where we will be in key locations in the three towns across the whole of the bay.
At these events you will be able to talk to members of the Cabinet, ward councillors together with senior officers.
The first event is taking place tomorrow (Friday, June 30) outside Primark in Torquay from 10am to 4pm, where I will be joined by the council’s chief executive Anne-Marie Bond. If you are in Torquay, I look forward to meeting you and having a chat.
We will then be on Paignton Green on Saturday, July 1, and will be visiting Brixham on Saturday, July 8. There are more than 10 events happening across the bay so to see all the dates for the roadshows, and to take part in the survey online, visit yoursay.torbay.gov.uk/residents-survey
There will also be paper copies available at key places, for example, in our libraries if that’s a way you would prefer to complete the survey.
Along with this survey, which is for residents aged 16 and over, we are also doing a separate version for children aged 12 to 16 which we will distribute through schools.
This will not be a one-off, we will undertake this survey on a regular basis so that we can check with you to ensure the improvements you want us to deliver are taking place.
So, make sure you look out for our stand popping up across the bay, click on one of the links in our social media posts or scan the QR code on a leaflet you receive.
However you engage, I really do encourage you to take part. Your views do matter to us and will make a difference.
Moving on, I am delighted that our Healthy Holidays free holiday clubs programme for children is back this summer. These popular clubs are a success with children and parents alike and are a great way to keep children and young people entertained during the long summer holidays.
Children aged five to 16 who are eligible for free school meals - or who are electively home educated - can register for the clubs, which run throughout Torquay, Paignton and Brixham over a four-week period during the holidays.
They are a great opportunity to learn some new skills - everything from sport, music and dance to art, cooking and gardening. They’re also a terrific way for youngsters to make new friends.
Parents struggling with the high costs of food can also rest happy in the knowledge that their children will get a healthy meal while they’re at the club.
These clubs wouldn’t be possible without the support of local providers, who include schools, voluntary and community groups, childcare settings, and local businesses - so thank you to everyone who helps.
These schemes have been an enormous success since their launch a couple of years ago and have never been more needed than now, when living costs are at their highest and many families are struggling.
If you’d like your child to benefit from one of these clubs, visit www.torbay.gov.uk/healthy-holidays/ to see if you’re eligible.