16 Jul Community Partnerships – have your say in local matters

Today, in this super-hot weather, I spent some time with Chris Smith who is the new Chairperson of the Hele, Barton, Watcombe and the Willows Community Partnership. We were at the Yellow Frog café at Combe Pafford School. The café is fantastic and students are supported by a great staff team to serve delicious food. The skills the young people learn will become an amazing springboard for communication, confidence and employment that transforms lives.

Across Torbay people regularly get together for Community Partnership meetings. They are a great opportunity for people to come together in their locality and raise issues affecting us. This can be anything from litter to bus routes, housing to crime.

Chris is passionate about his community, the people and making it a great place to live. He’s lived in the Bay for over 25 years and is ever keen that local people have their say. “Community Partnership meeting are all about listening to local people and finding ways to improve our community. At our meetings local ward Councillors attend as well as a police officer or PCSO. This creates great links between local people, law enforcement and decision makers.”

The collaborative approach of Community Partnerships fosters ways to get things done. Yes, lots of talk, but action too. Community Partnerships give opportunities for elected Councillors to listen to local people and to update us about new initiatives in the Bay.

Chris is passionate about everyone having their voice. “We would love our Community Partnership to fully represent the community I live in.  More people bring more ideas. Parts of the area have poverty but there is real community spirit. We all want to be part of an inclusive and vibrant community.”

Let’s give Chris the last word. “I want Torbay to be a thriving place. Our Community Partnerships bring ideas that help make Torbay better. I hope to welcome more people of all ages and backgrounds to our meetings. Let’s all work to improve our community – together”

The next Community Partnership meeting for Hele, Barton, Watcombe and the Willows is 6.30pm-8pm on Wednesday 22 July 2026 at the Acorn Centre, Lummaton Cross in Barton. For more information about your local Community Partnership, check out their pages here on our website.  There’s a chance for you to have you say in every community in the Bay. For more information, please contact Simon Langridge, Community Builder on 07821 666322 or [email protected]