IN CASE OF EMERGENCY… THINGS (& PEOPLE) ARE NEEDED (SPRING 2026)

Community assets such as a village shop, pub, recreation ground or library have long been recognised by UK local authorities as worth saving. But the announcement by Budleigh Salterton Town Council that it is building a Community Asset Register of a very different nature may be a sign of the times. 

 ‘Neighbouring towns tell us the biggest factor in responding to an emergency is people power – and we want to be prepared,’ reads this recently published poster. 

 An appeal has been recently launched by the Council for volunteers with ‘time, strength or willingness to help’ in case of need. In particular, owners of equipment such as 4x4 vehicles, submersible pumps or electrical generators are being sought to assist in an emergency. 

 Budleigh Salterton’s Town Clerk Alice Gater-Wildgust, an East Budleigh resident, explained that the town has an emergency plan in place. She mentioned that incidents such as the recent severe flooding in villages such as Newton Poppleford had shown the need for as many volunteers as possible to help. 

 In Scotland, a Community Asset Register (CAR) – essentially a database of volunteers with either skills or equipment – was launched as far back as 2017. It is described as ‘a fantastic way to contribute to your local community’. Current assets listed by Scotland’s CAR include, in addition to 4x4s, lorries, tankers and horse trailers. For water rescue, boats, life jackets and flotation aids are available, while chainsaws and similar equipment are listed for terrain clearance. The CAR includes many others items ranging from VHF and CB radios to first aid kits and stretchers. Even drones and small planes are registered. 

 If you would like to register an offer of help, you can contact the Town Council at clerk@budleighsaltertontowncouncil.gov.uk