Residents in parts of Paignton are being encouraged to have their say on the future of their town as part of an exciting programme of community engagement being delivered through Paignton Pride in Place.

The Paignton Place Leadership Board is launching a series of engagement activities this summer to gather views from local people and help shape priorities for the next ten years. The programme aims to ensure that residents, businesses and community groups play a central role in creating a shared vision for Paignton's future.

As part of the community engagement programme, two family-friendly events are being held where residents can speak directly with representatives from the project and share their ideas for the changes they would like to see delivered through Pride in Place.

The events are:

Summer Festival at Great Parks Community Centre

Friday 28 August

11am to 3pm

Community Event at Foxhole Community Centre

Saturday 5 September

10am to 4pm

Alongside these events, residents can get involved by completing an online survey, sharing it with friends and family, and submitting their ideas and aspirations for Paignton.

Everyone who completes the survey and provides their email address will be entered into a prize draw to win one of 10 family tickets to Paignton Zoo. Participants will also receive updates on the programme as it develops.

While membership of the Paignton Place Leadership Board has now been confirmed, the Board is committed to ensuring that everyone who has an interest in Paignton's future has the opportunity to contribute to the programme.

Stephen Kings, Chair of the Paignton Place Leadership Board, said: "We want to hear from as many people as possible about what matters most to them and the changes they would like to see in Paignton over the coming years. Whether it's through attending one of our community events, completing the survey or sharing ideas with us online, every voice will help shape the vision and priorities for the future of our town. Delivering lasting change for Paignton will require the involvement of the whole community, and we look forward to working together to create a stronger future for everyone."

The community engagement programme will continue throughout the summer, with a range of smaller events and activities taking place across Paignton to ensure residents have plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Residents can find out more about the programme, complete the survey and keep up to date with progress by visiting the Torbay Story website. Board meetings are held monthly, are open to the public, and local people are encouraged to attend.

The Paignton Place Leadership Board was created as part of the Government’s Pride in Place Programme. It covers an area with about 7,000 people, previously known as Blatchcombe and Blagdon. This includes Queen Elizabeth Drive, Colley End, Foxhole and Collaton St Mary. The Board may receive up to £20 million over the next 10 years to help improve the health and wellbeing of people living in the area. The Board is led by the local community.