A bit about the area
The name, “Ham”, comes from the Anglo-Saxon, “Hamme”, meaning a sheltered place. This probably accounts for the area’s pleasant climate, although for those who choose to work and live in the district there is more than just balmy weather.
The area boasts a number of historic towns and villages, excellent sailing and walking opportunities, dozens of safe, clean beaches and many events and shows, regattas, fairs and festivals throughout the year.
The district’s 115 km of spectacular coastline are one of our great attractions. Full of natural beauty and environmental importance, it alternates between rocky, precipitous cliffs and wooded or grassy slopes. The South West Coast Path runs virtually the length of the district.
There are approximately 80,000 people living in the South Hams, expected to rise to 91,000 by 2016. Attractive to people seeking retirement or quality of life moves, we are losing young adults, who leave in search of better paid jobs and affordable housing. Almost 1% of the district’s population is of minority ethnic origin, of which there is no predominant ethnic minority group.
Whilst it is one of the safest places in England and unemployment is low, the lack of affordable housing is severe, creating problems for local residents. Employers, including ourselves, find difficulty in recruiting and retaining staff. The average house costs in excess of 10 times the average local wage. We have one of the highest house price/earning ratios anywhere outside the south east. At over 11%, we have the highest proportion of second homes in England bar the Scilly Isles.
The Council needs to continue its transformation from a service delivery organisation in the traditional mould into a community leader ambitiously meeting the needs and aspirations of its people in a challenging world. Our highest priority is to ‘secure a supply of housing for local people at affordable levels’.
South Hams towns and villages
Known as the southern gateway to Dartmoor, Ivybridge is a modern thriving community. Both the 102-mile Two-Moors Way and the beautiful Erme Valley Trail begin here. South of Ivybridge lies Modbury. Here the Georgian houses give an air of quiet elegance to this old market town, with its many antique and craft shops.
Totnes celebrates its Elizabethan heritage with a Tuesday market in the main summer season. The estuary town of Kingsbridge is often called the “capital” of the South Hams. Its focal point is its Quay, which hosts numerous events from farmers markets to music festivals.
Dartmouth is perhaps best known for its regatta but is also a popular fishing and sailing port and boasts a 17th century Butterwalk, superb galleries and shopping. Finally, follow the coast to Salcombe, popular for its fantastic sailing and water sports, its beautiful beaches and coastal walks, and its many interesting shops.
Culture and heritage
The District’s history is catered for through local museums at Totnes, Dartmouth, Salcombe and Kingsbridge. A flavour of the region’s maritime heritage can be savoured at the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. The area boasts many local fairs and festivals including the Marldon Apple Pie Fair, Modbury May Fair week, the Dartmouth Music Festival, the Salcombe Festival and the Kingsbridge Midsummer Music Festival. There are also colourful regattas at Salcombe and Dartmouth. Dartington Hall, originally built in 1388, is set in 28 acres of garden which are recognised as one of the finest in the country.
Living in the South Hams
Information for local estate agents (Please note: this is not an exhaustive list)
Relocation
If a relocation package is applicable to this post, further details will be found in the Job Description.
Local Government
In the South Hams, we have a three tier system of local government. Services are provided by Devon County Council, South Hams District Council and local town/parish councils.
Areas Covered by South Hams District Council
South Hams District Council is responsible for an area covering 887 sq km and a population of 80,000 people. We provide approximately one hundred different services. Some of our most important services include:
Leisure and Recreation – we run 93 equipped children’s play areas, 17 formal parks and gardens and three leisure centres.
Refuse Collection – collecting refuse from 39,000 households.
Car Parks – we provide 4,000 car parking spaces in towns and villages.
Business Support – we encourage business development and employment opportunities and help 4,000 local businesses market their products and services.
Protecting the Countryside – we manage 337 sq km of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 75km of Heritage Coast and 115km of coastal path. A quarter of the district lies within the Dartmoor National Park.
Development Control – we process more than 2,000 planning applications each year and aim to control development to balance need, conservation and sustainability.
Salcombe Harbour and Dartmouth Lower Ferry - we manage both Salcombe Harbour which is an important base for the shell-fishing industry and Dartmouth Lower Ferry which consists of three tugs and two floating platforms. Each unit consists of a tug pushing a floating platform that has a maximum carrying capacity of eight cars and 42 foot passengers.
Services provided by the County, Town and Parish Councils
Devon County Council’s main areas of responsibilities are education, social services, public transport and highway maintenance.
There are often issues which require County and District Councils to work together. In some cases, such as footpath maintenance, we have agreement to carry out the work needed on behalf of the County Council.
There are 61 Town and Parish Councils in the South Hams. They provide a variety of local services and act as a sounding board for the community.
South Hams Council – Our Aims and Priorities 2002-2008
The Council regularly reviews its overall aims and priorities. This process is undertaken with a knowledge of the needs and problems of the district and in consultation with other public bodies, interest groups and the general public consulted through the Council's Sounding Board. The Sounding Board is a group of nearly 1,000 residents drawn from all ages and backgrounds to be representative of the South Hams population as a whole.
To improve the well-being of the people of the South Hams
Priorities and Measures
- Secure a supply of housing for local people at affordable levels
- Create the conditions for the growth and maintenance of quality economic activity
- Maintain a clean environment
- Maintain the district's distinctive environment whilst enabling access and sensitive development
- Work with others to improve access to key services
- Improve core service performance in a cost-effective way
Council Commitments
In pursuing all its functions the Council is committed to:
- Equality of opportunity and particularly targeting hard to reach and vulnerable groups
- Sustainability
- Community involvement and community vibrancy
- Effective partnership
- Communication, consultation and openness
- Value for money
The Democratic Structure
The Council has 40 Elected Members (or Councillors). All the elected members attend Council meetings, which are held on a six-weekly cycle, although there are also extra meetings of the Council to consider special issues. These are called as and when required.
Day-to-day decisions are taken by the Council’s Executive. There is a ‘cabinet-style’ committee of eight Councillors, a Scrutiny Panel and various Policy Development Groups.
The Management Structure
From January a new Corporate Management Team will comprise the Chief Executive and three Strategic Directors. This tier will be supported at an operational and service delivery level by a 14 strong group of Service Managers and Corporate Support Specialists.
The new Service Manager structure is as follows:
Corporate Services |
Operations Team |
Culture and Leisure |
Personnel and Payroll |
Customer Services |
Planning Services |
Environmental Health |
Property Services |
Financial Services |
Rural Regeneration |
ICT Services |
Salcombe Harbour |
Corporate Improvement* |
Business Development* |
*denotes Support Specialists
Working for South Hams District Council
Working for South Hams is about being part of a team. We pride ourselves on being able to make a real difference to the communities we serve and the Council remains highly respected both locally and wider a field. One of the factors behind our success has been our ability to support and develop our staff to enable them to achieve their potential. Another strength is our corporate management style, which cascades down through the whole organisation and encourages staff from all levels and disciplines to actively take part in the wider corporate development of our services.
Finally, working at South Hams does require a certain commitment and hard work but the reward lies in the knowledge that you are contributing to a wider team effort – it is this that makes South Hams a very special place to work.
Investor in People
South Hams District Council has been recognised as an ‘Investor in People’ since 1993. Investor in People (IIP), is a nationally recognised standard for the best management practices in staff development and communication.
Staff consultative forum
A number of staff consultative bodies have been established to represent staff interests and act as a sounding board in the development of new Personnel and Management policies. These bodies are elected on a regular basis and undertake an important role in the wider management of the Council.
Corporate health group
This is a cross cutting group of staff drawn from all levels in the authority who look at corporate issues.
Corporate membership of our leisure centres
We are able to offer preferential membership rates to staff for our three Leisure Centres, located at Ivybridge, Totnes and Kingsbridge.
Follaton social club
The Follaton social club provides a catering facility with reasonably priced good quality hot and cold food provided by professional outside caterers. The club organises day trips, social events and prize draws. Membership is free to all staff.
Staff suggestion scheme
The staff suggestion scheme provides a means whereby any employee may contribute to improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the Council’s services which may be financially recognised.
Car parking
A large free car park is available for staff to use during office hours.
Trade Union membership
The Council recognises the following trade unions:- UNISON, GMB, T&G and UCATT. The decision as to whether to join a Trade Union is left to individual choice and no compulsion exists either way. Joint staff forums are open to union and non-union members alike.
Location
Follaton House is a Grade II Listed building located one mile outside of Totnes, based on a medieval manor house design standing in its own grounds which includes a recently designated arboretum.
