COUNCILLORS in Okehampton are to look at how they can take an action plan for the town, first started eight years ago, to the next stage.

Although many improvements were made under the Market and Coastal Towns Initiative and since then, including the community cinema, the youth and community inclusion project, green tourism, broadband and special educational needs support group, renewable energy projects and rural access to public transport, there were still many wants on the list.

Town councillor Kay Bickley said the market and coastal towns initiative, which aimed to regenerate towns, particularly in the wake of foot and mouth disease in 2001, attracted a lot of funding, and projects which developed from that also attracted funding.

'Things are different now — there isn't the money swishing around anymore but there are still some big issues and projects we would like to see addressed like affordable housing, the old mill site and the Wren arts centre,' she said.

'The town council's aim is to work with the Devon Heartlands Community Group to find out what the relevant issues are and to consult with the community to see what people want.'

It is hoped that a Big Top event, where all local organisations got together and the community gave their views on what they would like to see happen in the town in a marquee in Simmons Park several years ago, can be repeated.

Mrs Bickley said other objectives yet to be achieved included the development of youth transport solutions and the provision of low-cost start-up space for business.