Ferry appropriate – Jubilee party with a difference!

The highly patriotic water-side parishes of Kingswear and Dartmouth couldn’t agree where would be the most appropriate place to honour her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a street party – until they hit on the idea of half-way between the two.

But that put them right in the middle of the River Dart!

Now, thanks to South Hams District Council, they have been granted their wish.

The Council’s lower ferry will host an hour-long celebratory Devon Cream Tea for 40 invited guests – 20 from Kingswear and 20 from Dartmouth – moored in the middle of the river on Wednesday 30th May, between 7pm and 8pm.

Among the VIP guests will be the new Chairman of South Hams District Council, Cllr Rosemary Rowe, the Mayor of Dartmouth, Cllr Paul Allen, and Councillor Jonathan Hawkins, Chairman of Kingswear Parish Council, one of the organisers of the event.

Hilary Bastone, District Councillor for Dartmouth and Kingswear, the other co-organiser of the event on behalf of the Diamond Jubilee committees, said: "The Lower Ferry is an important link for both of our communities, and holding a street party on the ferry with representative organisations from both communities will embody and enhance that friendship. We are extremely grateful to the District Council for granting use of the Lower Ferry.

He added: “We could not make up our minds which side of the river the event should be held, so we decided it would be a good idea to meet halfway. It is a wonderful gesture from the Council to make the ferry available to honour the reign of Her Majesty. It’s particularly poignant as she first met and fell in love with Prince Philip in Dartmouth."

Cllr Hawkins said: "Both communities have joined together to organise a series of events to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and we are all proud of our connections with Her Majesty. And where more appropriate than on the ferry – the continuation of the road from Kingswear to Dartmouth?”

South Hams Executive Member for Assets, Cllr Bill Hitchins, said: “The ferry has served the communities of Dartmouth and Kingswear for so many years, and I hope it will be still doing so at the time of the next Diamond Jubilee.”

As there are more than 20 organisations in Dartmouth – unlike Kingswear – there will be a ballot to decide who will be invited to tuck into the cream tea, being provided by the Royal Castle Hotel, and be entertained by Elphick the Jester and rousing sea shanties from the Nauti Buoys.

Dartmouth set to honour genius who put Great in Great Britain!

DARTMOUTH is preparing to open a fitting tribute to one of its most famous – and most unsung heroes – Thomas Newcomen whose invention of the steam engine made him the founding father of the Industrial Revolution and became the touchstone that put Great in Great Britain.

South Hams property services and grounds maintenance teams have been toiling alongside the Newcomen 300 Committee over a £37,500 scheme to enhance the entrance to the famous working model of the inventor’s engine, housed in the previously “rather hidden” corner of Royal Avenue Gardens.

Next Tuesday (May 22) at 5pm Dartmouth’s Alvin Smith, inventor of the Searaser wave pump, will set the old engine in motion once again to officially open celebrations to mark the anniversary before such dignitaries as the new Chairman of South Hams District Council Councillor Rosemary Rowe and her husband Tony and the Mayor of Dartmouth Cllr Paul Allen.

Just prior to that at 4pm Mr Smith will be unveiling the eight foot high monolith, featuring Newcomen’s name and a profile of his engine, designed by Phil Hudson of Deep Blue Signs. This memorial to Newcomen, is designed to help reemphasise the connection between the town and the famous engineer on the Norton Roundabout at the entrance to the town.

The project, which includes a mini-plaza with “Newcomen Engine 1712” spelled out in red paving against charcoal coloured blocks, aims to open up and highlight the main entrance way to the museum which houses one of the oldest working examples of his atmospheric engine.  It is designed to underline the importance of this epoch-making invention, by the town’s ironmonger-turned inventor, and ensure it is displayed as a lasting legacy in his birthplace.

The project is being led locally by the Newcomen 300 Committee, and has the backing of Dartmouth Town Council and South Hams District Council, who own and manage the park. This year marks 300th anniversary of his invention which changed the world and heralded in the age of steam.

The project, which meant removing a Holm Oak which was undermining the Engine House and Information Centre, and opens up a dark corner of the park to create the feel of a small plaza with a new entrance.

Five new snake bark maple trees have been planted and sponsored as memorial trees by people who live in and love the town and two new seats and two new benches have been sponsored by those wishing to have relatives or friends remembered in this tranquil setting.

The town has really got behind the move to celebrate Newcomen and £5,000 has been raised in the town through sponsorship of benches and trees – and the council is looking to see if more can be accommodated, such is the demand.

One of the benches has been kindly donated by the Dartmouth and Kingswear Society as a joint commemoration of the Newcomen 300 and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Two new access ways have been created to open up routes from the car park and Mayors Avenue. And the Engine House building is being enhanced, both inside and out, to create an environment worthy of the historic engine inside.

South Hams District Councillor Hilary Bastone said: “This is going to be a very fitting tribute to a great genius who was born in Dartmouth – but who changed the world. The Newcomen area will be accessible by all and disabled friendly - a wonderful addition to our gardens.”

Newcomen 300 Committee Chairman Ray Bridges said: “It is brilliant support from South Hams District Council and Dartmouth Town Council for a local unrecognised industrial genius who has been underrated previously and this will provide a lasting legacy.  This is about all the years to come not just the 300^th anniversary year and that is key to what the council is doing for the town”.

The funds for the project have come from the Dartmouth Supermarkets s106 developer’s contribution fund (£24,500), Dartmouth Town Council (£8,000), £5,000 in sponsorship, mainly from residents and £3,000 from Devon County Councillor Jonathan Hawkins (£2,000 for information boards and £1,000 towards the monument). South Hams District Council has picked up the all additional costings relating to the design and build and incorporating the scheme into one of the area’s favourite parks.

South Sands beach wins Blue Flag quality award again!

South Sands beach in the picturesque Salcombe estuary has again won the internationally-recognised Blue Flag award which guarantees that the golden shores have top notch facilities, are litter free and have achieved a high standard of water quality – for the second year running.

Blue Flag is a prestigious, international award scheme which acts as a guarantee to tourists that a beach or marina they are visiting is one of the best in the world.

South Sands, owned by South Hams District Council, is among three winners this year including  the privately owned Blackpool Sands and Challaborough.

All have retained their cherished Blue Flag status which is a great feather in the cap for both the council and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which works in partnership to provide facilities and some of the beach services.

It is also great news for the Tide’s Reach Hotel, South Sands Hotel and South Sands Sailing who contribute to the Blue Flag application.

In order to qualify for a Blue Flag Beach award, the bathing water ata beach has to meet the highest category of cleanliness.The beaches must also have great facilities and be free of litter.

Cllr John Tucker, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “It is a great result being able to keep the Blue Flag Award for South Sands for two years running. It shows that South Hams is a very clean area!

“We are very proud of our beaches in the South Hams and you will need to travel a long way before you find such wonderful seascapes as we have here.”

Robin Toogood, South Devon AONB Manager, said: “Getting the Blue Flag award at South Sands again is welcome news. We have lots of fantastic beaches in our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The award reflects the cleanliness and high quality of the environment.”

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New chairman calls for wind and solar policy …

Councillor Rosemary Rowe has been voted in as the new chairman of South Hams District Council succeeding Rufus Gilbert to the post who is standing down after a year in office.

Councillor Mrs Rowe was first elected to South Hams District Council in 1995 and has many years of experience as a member of the council.

No stranger to the post - she was Chairman in 1999-2000 and served on most groups and committees within the authority over the years.  She was Chairman of the Environment Scrutiny Committee for four years prior to being elected Vice-Chairman of Council for the past year.

Councillor Rowe represents the East Dart Ward which includes the parishes of Stoke Gabriel, Littlehempston and part of Berry Pomeroy.  

She lives in Stoke Gabriel where she works in the family business with her husband and son. She has lived in the South Hams for most of her life and her interests include farming and the countryside.  She is a member of the local Women’s Institute in Stoke Gabriel.

In her maiden speech as chairman she said: “We must all work together to achieve what we want for South Hams. And we need to embody new ideas and ways of working to find new solutions and make clear policies on alternative energies like wind and solar power.”

The council, which recently decided to reduce its carbon footprint, has installed a bank of photovoltaic panels on the roof of its offices to harvest electricity from the sun at a cost of £25,000.

Councillor Bryan Carson was elected vice-chairman and received his deputy’s chain of office and took his position alongside Cllr Rowe for the Council’s annual meeting at Follaton House.

Committee chairmen elected were:

Audit Committee

Cllr J T Pennington – Chairman
Cllr C G Bruce-Spencer – Vice Chairman

Community Life and Housing Scrutiny Panel

Cllr S A E Wright – Chairman
Cllr R C Steer – Vice Chairman

Corporate Performance & Resources Scrutiny Panel

Cllr J H Baverstock – Chairman
Cllr C M Pannell – Vice Chairman

Development Management Committee

Cllr D W May – Chairman
Cllr R C Steer – Vice Chairman

Economy and Environment Scrutiny Panel

Cllr P Coulson – Chairman
Cllr R J Foss – Vice Chairman

Licensing Committee

Cllr J W Squire – Chairman
Cllr B E Carson – Vice Chairman

Salcombe Harbour Board

Cllr R J Carter - Chairman.

The Olympic Flame – on its way to the South Hams

The South Hams is preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime event when the Olympic Torch makes its triumphal way through the streets of ten towns and villages in the district on Sunday May 20 to herald the start of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The Torch has sparked a flurry of activities on the day and among the highlights will be a community Zumba in Dartmouth, a model of a six-foot Torch on the village green in Brixton and the residents of Torcross will be holding an Olympics on the beach.

In Kingsbridge, there’s a sports day in Duncombe Park for young people aged from five years to 16,the people of Stoke Fleming will be performing various dances when the Torch arrives in the village and there’s a family super teams Olympic Day at Borough Park, Totnes.

Town and Parish Councils, schools, sport and dance organisations from across the district will be turning out from early morning to greet the icon of the Games as torchbearers carry the flame through Brixton, Yealmpton, Modbury, Kingsbridge, West Charleton, Chillington, Torcross, Stoke Fleming, Dartmouth and Totnes.

South Hams District Council and the London 2012 Organising Committee have been working together for months to bring the symbol of the Games to the area.

Cllr Rosemary Rowe, South Hams District Council Chairman said: “We’re very excited to have so many communities on the Torch relay route – it’s a great opportunity for residents to come out, line the streets and to highlight the things that we, in the South Hams, are so proud of, while the world is watching.”

A few minutes in advance of the Torch arriving in each community, a procession of Olympic vehicles will travel through to let people know that the icon flame is on its way. The Torch arrives in the South Hams at Brixton at 8.59am.

• In Brixton, the route follows Elburton Road (A379). It finishes at the speed limit sign on the outskirts of the village.
• The Torch arrives in Yealmpton at 9.09am at the junction of Milizac Close and follows Fore Street, Underhay and Market Street (A379) to the speed limit sign.
• In Modbury, the Torch arrives at 9.24am and follows Church Street and New Road (A379) to the speed limit sign.
• In Kingsbridge, the Torch arrives at 9.47am and travels along Cookworthy Road, Ilbert Road and Embankment Road turning in to the Quay Car Park. At 10.17am the Torch will leave the car park and heads towards Dartmouth on Embankment Road as far as the junction with Warren Road.
• The Torch reaches West Charleton at 10.30am and will be carried through the village to the junction with Lyte Lane.
• In Chillington, the Torch will arrive at 10.42am at the junction with Primrose Close and is carried through the village on the main road (A379) to the speed limit sign on the outskirts.
• Torcross will see the Torch arrive at 10.54am at the village sign and will be carried as far as the speed limit sign on the outskirts.
• In Stoke Fleming the Torch arrives at the junction with Overseas Estate Road at 11.19am and is carried along New Road, Church Road and Dartmouth Hill to the junction with West Park.
• The Torch arrives in Dartmouth at 11.32 at the junction with Milton Lane and is then carried along York Road, Townstal Road, College Way, Coombe Road, North Embankment, Spithead, The Quay, Mayor’s Avenue, North Embankment, Ridge Hill, College Way and into Brittania Royal Naval College for the lunchtime stop. At 1.07pm, the Torch leaves the Royal Naval College and turns uphill along College Way, Townstal Road, and in to Sainsbury’s car park on Nelson Road. At 1.46pm it is due to leave the car park and turn on Townstal Road (A381) towards Totnes as far as the speed limit sign.
• It arrives in Totnes at 2.09pm at the junction with Cistern Street and carried down the Western Bypass, turns right along Station Road in to Coronation Road and then left into Bridgetown over the old bridge. It continues up Bridgetown Hill to the junction with Jubilee Road reaching there at 2.32pm.

The street route can be viewed at london2012.com/olympictorchrelay along with a list of torchbearers who include inspirational Ivybridge Primary School teacher Laura Plane.

Despite having been diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing chemo and radio therapies in 2010, Laura continued her running hobby, completing her 5^th Plymouth half-marathon less than a year after her diagnosis.

Having beaten cancer and run her 6^th half marathon, she is now back at work in Ivybridge. Laura said: “I’m grateful to have an extra way of inspiring young people to get involved with sport and to be a torchbearer in the South Hams is great, as the area is so close to my heart. I know that plenty of family, friends, pupils, parents and colleagues will be out on May 20 cheering us all on.”

For support and information about organising community events please email games2012@swdevon.gov.uk or complete the online form at www.westdevon.gov.uk.

For ideas and resources for schools to make the most of the Olympic Torch Relay please visit www.london2012.com/getset

The Olympic Flame – on its way to the South Hams

The South Hams is preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime event when the Olympic Torch makes its triumphal way through the streets of ten towns and villages in the district on Sunday 20th May to herald the start of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The Torch has sparked a flurry of activities on the day, and among the highlights will be a community Zumba in Dartmouth, a model of a six-foot Torch on the village green in Brixton, and the residents of Torcross will be holding an Olympics on the beach.

In Kingsbridge there’s a sports day in Duncombe Park for young people aged from five years to 16, the people of Stoke Fleming will be performing various dances when the Torch arrives in the village, and there’s a family super teams Olympic Day at Borough Park, Totnes.

Town and Parish Councils, schools, and sport and dance organisations from across the district will be turning out from early morning to greet the icon of the Games as torchbearers carry the flame through Brixton, Yealmpton, Modbury, Kingsbridge, West Charleton, Chillington, Torcross, Stoke Fleming, Dartmouth, and Totnes.

South Hams District Council and the London 2012 Organising Committee have been working together for months to bring the symbol of the Games to the area.

Cllr Rosemary Rowe, South Hams District Council Chairman, said: “We’re very excited to have so many communities on the Torch relay route – it’s a great opportunity for residents to come out, line the streets, and to highlight the things that we, in the South Hams, are so proud of, while the world is watching.”

A few minutes in advance of the Torch arriving in each community, a procession of Olympic vehicles will travel through to let people know that the icon flame is on its way. The Torch arrives in the South Hams at Brixton at 8:59am.

• In Brixton, the route follows Elburton Road (A379). It finishes at the speed limit sign on the outskirts of the village.
• The Torch arrives in Yealmpton at 9:09am at the junction of Milizac Close, and follows Fore Street, Underhay, and Market Street (A379) to the speed limit sign.
• In Modbury, the Torch arrives at 9:24am, and follows Church Street and New Road (A379) to the speed limit sign.
• In Kingsbridge, the Torch arrives at 9:47am and travels along Cookworthy Road, Ilbert Road, and Embankment Road, turning in to the Quay Car Park. At 10:17am the Torch will leave the car park and heads towards Dartmouth on Embankment Road, as far as the junction with Warren Road.
• The Torch reaches West Charleton at 10:30am, and will be carried through the village to the junction with Lyte Lane.
• In Chillington, the Torch will arrive at 10:42am at the junction with Primrose Close, and is carried through the village on the main road (A379) to the speed limit sign on the outskirts.
• Torcross will see the Torch arrive at 10:54am at the village sign, and will be carried as far as the speed limit sign on the outskirts.
• In Stoke Fleming the Torch arrives at the junction with Overseas Estate Road at 11:19am, and is carried along New Road, Church Road, and Dartmouth Hill to the junction with West Park.
• The Torch arrives in Dartmouth at 11:32 at the junction with Milton Lane, and is then carried along York Road, Townstal Road, College Way, Coombe Road, North Embankment, Spithead, The Quay, Mayor’s Avenue, North Embankment, Ridge Hill, College Way, and into Brittania Royal Naval College for the lunchtime stop. At 1:07pm, the Torch leaves the Royal Naval College and turns uphill along College Way, Townstal Road, and in to Sainsbury’s car park on Nelson Road. At 1:46pm it is due to leave the car park and turn on Townstal Road (A381) towards Totnes, as far as the speed limit sign.
• It arrives in Totnes at 2:09pm at the junction with Cistern Street, and, carried down the Western By Pass, turns right along Station Road in to Coronation Road, and then left into Bridgetown over the old bridge. It continues up Bridgetown Hill to the junction with Jubilee Road, reaching there at 2:32pm.

The street route can be viewed at london2012.com/olympictorchrelay, along with a list of torchbearers who include inspirational Ivybridge Primary School teacher Laura Plane.

Despite having been diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing chemo and radio therapies in 2010, Laura continued her running hobby, completing her 5^th Plymouth half-marathon less than a year after her diagnosis.

Having beaten cancer and run her 6^th half marathon, she is now back at work in Ivybridge. Laura said: “I’m grateful to have an extra way of inspiring young people to get involved with sport and to be a torchbearer in the South Hams is great, as the area is so close to my heart. I know that plenty of family, friends, pupils, parents, and colleagues will be out on 20th May, cheering us all on.”

For support and information about organising community events, please email games2012@swdevon.gov.uk or complete the online form at www.southhams.gov.uk.

For ideas and resources for schools to make the most of the Olympic Torch Relay please visit www.london2012.com/getset

Aid for mums, dads and toddlers – for play, learning and cutting waste

Learning to ensure you waste as little food as you can plus discover a whole host of useful classes for mums and toddlers and invaluable confidential advice sessions on benefits, housing and debts will all be highlighted at a drop in session at Dartmouth Sainsbury’s Wednesday May 16.

The store will host the South Hams Connect drop in session between 10.30am – 1pm – all are welcome – there is even a chance to win a hamper full of preserving items if you get lucky in the Love Food Hate Waste quiz run by the council’s recycling team.

On hand will be advisors from Dartmouth Children’s Centre and South Hams District Council’s Waste and Recycling Team, and our Customer Service advisor who can help with a wide variety of council and other public service enquiries.

Andy Barron South Hams Waste Minimisation and Recycling Officer says: “The recycling team will be on hand to promote Love Food Hate Waste, to ensure we all know how to save money by reducing the food we waste plus get handy tips and advice. You will also get a chance  to enter our summer quiz to win a hamper full of food storage and preserving items”.

This summer term Dartmouth Children’s Centre have sessions on: benefits, housing, debt, relationships and employment; a breast feeding support group; a new under one’s group to encourage communication and language skills through making healthy snacks and play; and making “Story Sacks” - a fun, free course to create a story stocking and learn ideas to support reading and storytelling.

Other services at the children’s centre include a Child Health Clinic, Midwife appointments, Stay and Play sessions, Baby Massage and the Rainbow Café for parents under 25 and their children.  Pop in and pick up more than you expected from your local store.

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Information bonanza at public service fair

OVER 20 public service agencies, not for profit organisations, charities and support organisations will be making the information fair being held at  Totnes Civic Hall on Saturday  May 12 one of the most comprehensive events.

The Totnes Community Morning starting at 10am runs until 1pm and offers residents the chance to get help and advice on a whole range of public and recreational services under one roof and free to all.

You will also be able to make your views known on what services should be made available under the new Health and Social Care Act designed to reshape how NHS services are commissioned. In this area, it will be done by South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group. This will be the new body responsible for buying health care in the district in a year’s time.

Jo Curtis, NHS Patient Experience and Engagement Officer says: “As a result of the Health and Social Care Act, Primary Care Trusts will be handing over to clinical commissioning groups in a year’s time. South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group will be buying health services on your behalf so we want to find out what is important to you”.

Other major players setting out their stall will be: JobCentre Plus, Citizens Advice Bureau,South Hams Community and Voluntary Service, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Air Ambulance, Transition Totnes, Devon County Council Sustainable Travel, The Stroke Association, Devon County Council Adult Education and Learning and Tone Leisure.

South Hams Customer Service advisor will also be on hand to help with a wide variety of council enquiries and Andy Barron, South Hams Waste Minimisation and Recycling Officer says: “The recycling team will be there to promote Love Food Hate Waste, a campaign to help us save money by reducing the food we waste with handy tips and advice. There will also be a summer quiz to win a hamper full of food storage and preserving items”.

Kevin Teague, Totnes Pavilion Manager for ToneLeisure and Totnes and District Swimming Pool will be handing out offers and vouchers for junior coaching sessions, swimming and adult  fitness classes.  

For further information on this Totnes event call South Hams District Council Customer Service Team on 01803 861234 or email customer.service@southhams.gov.uk

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Chilling message for food waste haters!

South Hams District Council’s Recycling and Waste team will be taking their road show out across the district this Spring and Summer to spread the message:  Love Food Hate Waste.

Food waste is a major issue. We throw away 7.2 million tonnes of food and drink from our homes every year, costing us £12bn – or £50 per month for the average household. This is not helping the environment. If we stopped throwing this good food away – and most of it could be saved and eaten later - it would save the equivalent of 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, the same as taking one in five cars off the road.

To help you reduce food waste and save money we will be offering tips and ideas at our road shows around the area.  You can also take the “big chill quiz” where you’ll discover how friendly you are with your freezer.

Apart from finding out how to reduce your food bill, there is also the chance to win a hamper full of food storage and kitchen gadgets, in a competition to be drawn in the autumn.

We are also on hand for any of your recycling service enquiries…why not come and see us at any of these venues: May 8 - Rattery Village Hall 10am – 12 noon; May 15 - Kingsbridge, The Quay, 8.30am - 1pm; May 16, Dartmouth, Sainsbury’s 10.30am – 1pm.

June 23 – Kingsbridge Community Day, The Quay, 10am 1pm; June 28 – Ivybridge Market, Glanville’s Mill Car Park, 8.30am - 4pm; June 29 – Totnes Market, Market Square, 8.30am – 4pm.

September 18 – Kingsbridge Market, The Quay, 8.30am – 4pm; September 19 – Dartmouth Sainsbury’s 10.30am – 1pm; September 20 – Ivybridge Market, Glanville’s Mill Car Park, 8.30am to 4pm; September 21 – Totnes Market, Market Square, 8.30am 4pm.

Rare chance to sponsor garden benches

As the redesign of the Newcomen 300 plaza in Royal Avenue Gardens nears completion, South Hams District Council is offering a rare opportunity to sponsor three new benches in the gardens.

The gardens are the favourite location for sponsorship of trees and benches in the South Hams, but has been at full capacity for a number of years.

Opportunities for commemorative and memorial benches are few so the new layout in the corner of the park in front of the Engine House presents an unusual chance to create a lasting legacy in a special place as a memorial to a loved one, or to commemorate a special occasion for the town of Dartmouth.

There are four new benches being installed as part of the design, and one has already been sponsored by the Dartmouth and Kingswear Society in joint commemoration of the tercentenary of Newcomen’s 1712 steam engine and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Of the three remaining benches to be located in the plaza, one is of the traditional park bench design and the other two are backless to allow people to sit facing either direction – towards the refurbished Engine House or into the gardens itself.

The cost of sponsorship is around £1,000 per bench. This covers the purchase of the bench, and its installation, as well as a commemorative plaque to be attached to the bench.

South Hams District Council is inviting requests on a first-come-first-served basis, and interested parties should contact the Natural Environment team on 01803 861175 or email keith.rennells@southhams.gov.uk

Let your voice carry … make a difference!

Would you like to help South Hams District Council to develop plans and services that meet the needs of local residents, businesses and communities?

If the answer is yes please read on.

South Hams District Council is looking for local people who would like to be consulted on the development of plans and services for the local area helping to ensure that they are really meeting the needs of people living and working within our communities. You can choose to be involved in all consultations or just with those on specific areas and services.

While much of the consultation will be done on-line, there will also be opportunities to attend events and forums and participate in postal and telephone questionnaires.

If you are interested in joining this panel or want more information on how you can get involved please either complete our Getting to Know You Survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/72QLHH5  or contact the Community Team on 01803 861234 or community@swdevon.gov.uk

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Council’s root and branch aid to community policing

GRASSROOTS policing of Vire Island in Totnes has become a whole lot easier thanks to a root and branch change by South Hams District Council’s landscape and leisure staff.

Following work to remove old laurel bushes almost half way down the island, on the bank nearest the River Dart, Totnes Community Policeman PC Mike Elliott has a much easier task in checking on anti-social behaviour on the town’s beauty spot.

Though a comparatively simple operation for the gardens staff – laurel needs coppicing every seven years – it has proved a great example of the benefit of collaborative working between the council and the police during their MAPS (multi-agency problem solving) meetings.

Held monthly they bring together police from across the district, council officers, youth services and registered social landlords and have in the past discussed issues of street drinkers causing a nuisance near the bridge steps and on the island riverside.

Now police hope that this recent clearance on Vire Island will hopefully reduce some of the anti-social behaviour in that area and enable PC Elliott to keep a better eye on activities, at the same time encouraging local people and visitors on to the island.

PC Elliott said: “By changing the environment it has greatly increased visibility.  This will act as a deterrent to those wishing to cause mischief or anti-social behaviour on the island.

“People are now more easily seen and will think twice about their actions,” he said. “The public’s feedback so far has been positive. People can see what is around them and feel safer.

“I have no doubt the new look island will lead to more people using it and reduce the previous problems of nuisance sometimes associated with the island.”

South Hams Executive Member for Environmental, Health and Housing, Councillor Mike Saltern said: “This is also a good example of the district council taking account of Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 where we should consider what we as an authority should be doing to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

“The laurel had become overgrown and blocked views of the island and river. Now opened up, it has vastly improved vistas and a nice open parkland feel to the place, which cuts the fear of crime as well.

“The collaborative approach to resolving issues is a real success and communities are the beneficiaries”.

The laurel will re-grow very healthily despite the cutback.  The work was done in winter so as not to disturb wildlife, but laurel is not a particularly good habitat for wild creatures in any case, so disturbance overall is minimal.

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Council team wins estuary-side ‘spiritual heart’ contract

Kingsbridge Recreation Ground is now well on its way to losing its flooded salt marsh image and becoming what the town council always hoped they could make it – the spiritual heart of the town with something to offer everyone.

The estuary side memorial to those sons of the town who died in the First World War has now been transformed in a £56,000 contract, the largest ever placed by the town council – and won, against competition from private contractors, by South Hams Council’s Property Services Team.

It has a new nine hole putting course, petanque court, pathways, three large raised planters, with sensory gardens for the blind and everywhere it is wheelchair friendly. It will also have a picnic area with tables with a carpeting of bark and even the random stone walling sides of the planters are made to provide impromptu seating.

Kingsbridge Town Clerk Martin Johnson said: “We did not come up with expensive architect drawings for the area, instead we produced a DIY plan, listed our specifications and invited the contractors to use their skill and knowhow to come up with their own plans and the South Hams team have done a very good job. We are very pleased. The whole idea is brilliant. Now that we have overcome the salt water contamination, and restored the lawn and pond it is going to be a great focal point for the town. With the tennis courts, children’s play space, bowling green, putting and petanque court, there is something for everyone.”

The new works have been made possible after South Hams set aside £100,000 for capital works in doing a major overhaul of the valves and corroded pipe work and flap valves to stop estuary salt water from backing up through the pipes and killing the grass around the ornamental pond at high tide, which looked unsightly. Camera inspections of the pipes showed the extent of the corrosion. Pipe work was simplified and non-metallic flap valves installed and a new land drain system laid in the lower lawns successfully reducing the water table.

The town council even managed to secure the assistance of a soil scientist from the Eden Project to analyse samples of the salt encrusted soil. He pronounced the saline contamination only minor which would reduce with time.

Since 2009, Kingsbridge Town Council has been working closely with a partnership comprising members of South Hams District Council, Kingsbridge Playspaces Group, Kingsbridge in Bloom, Kingsbridge Park Bowling Club and Kingsbridge Local Agenda 21 in overseeing a wide range of enhancements in the park.

Works began with the complete refurbishment of the two tennis courts, which has created a high quality long lasting surface for tennis players. Following on, Kingsbridge Playspaces Group raised funds for an overhaul of the toddler play space and adjacent to it a brand new steep slope play facility for older children. They are now a big draw for families in the Kingsbridge area.

Following on, much of the park furniture – bins, benches and boundary walls – were upgraded.

South Hams District Council also has started to convert the old WC block into a café kiosk, which will allow families to enjoy refreshments on raised decking and have panoramic views of the new recreation ground facilities and estuary.

The value of the four year improvement programme has been more than £400,000, with around £300,000 coming from South Hams District Council’s Capital budgets.

This latest round of work by the Property Services Team has been funded by £38,000 from Kingsbridge Town Council and the remainder raised by Nat West bank (£6,275), Kingsbridge in Bloom (£2,800), Kingsbridge Rotary Club (£500), Kingsbridge Feoffees, a land charity, (£2,000), South Hams District Council (£4,500) and Section 106 monies (£2,500).

South Hams District Council Chairman Cllr Rufus Gilbert said: “I am delighted to see the last big piece of the jigsaw of improvements put in place. It was promised in the 2007 Town Council Elections. The parks with their improvements are clearly enjoyed by the community. I am delighted to see many people enjoying their parks again.”

South Hams Councillor Keith Wingate said: “It has been an absolute joy to work with so many people who have a huge passion for Kingsbridge and who all clearly enjoy getting involvedin the community. I would like to thank all involved from the bottom of my heart, this has really improved Kingsbridge for all for years to come.”

Ends

Plumber Paul rescues ‘distressed’ adder lady  

For local authority plumber and retained Totnes fireman Paul Chambers repairing vandal damage plumbing at Slapton’s Strete Gate public conveniences on Monday and saving a lady in distress was all in a day’s work.

Paul, who works for South Hams District Council, had gone to repair £400 to £500 pounds worth of vandal damage to pipe work and was working in the gentlemen’s loo when he heard a woman screaming.

When he went to investigate he found an adder, Britain’s most venomous snake, had slithered down from the nearby hedge and was basking in the recent sunshine on the floor of the toilets outside the woman’s cubicle.

“He had obviously dropped out of the hedge after the woman had gone to the toilet, and was enjoying basking on the warm paving slab floor,” said Steve Howrihane, Building Manager, based at the Totnes Depot.

“It was right outside the door and she was not totally impressed by the adder being there.  Paul just took a length of copper pipe and, much to her relief, picked up the adder and put it back into the hedge unharmed. She was very grateful.”

Steve added: “Paul had never seen an adder before, but then not that many have.  It was certainly a first for us.  I don’t think we have had a situation like this before.

“He did really well, because although he gets plenty of training in Health and Safety for the job it doesn’t cover removing adders from public toilets. But then he is a retained fireman so he should be ready to deal with anything.”

Afterwards Paul told workmates: “When I went back to carry on with my plumbing I shook out my coat to make sure I didn’t have one in there. And I made sure I didn’t leave my coat on the floor again! ”

South Hams Executive Member for Assets, Councillor Bill Hitchins, said: “We do spend a lot of money on training our staff to cope in many difficult situations but snake charming is not one of the skills they are taught.  Paul did really well and showed great presence of mind to use a length of copper pipe to remove the unwelcome intruder.”   

-Ends-

Former South Hams chairman dies aged 88

Peggy Verniquet, one of South Hams longest serving District Councillors has died in Derriford Hospital following a short illness on April 3. She was 88.

Peggy was ward member for Garabrook and was a long serving councillor at South Hams. In 1987 she became South Hams District Council Chairman and served on many committees and groups including what was then known as the Planning Committee and on Slapton Line Working Group.

She is remembered with affection by those members who knew her and was well liked and respected in East Allington where she lived with her husband Pierre for many years before moving to Kingsbridge.

CouncillorRufus Gilbert said: "Peggy was a lovely lady. She was known for her kindness and enthusiasm and she continued to serve the South Hams in many ways in the community after she left the district council. Peggy worked hard for many years as Chairman of South Hams Hospital League of Friends. Sandy and I were extremely sorry to hear the sad news of her death and our thoughts are with her husband Pierre and family".

The Chairman will be representing the council at her funeral service on Monday April  16 at the Sacred Heart Church in Kingsbridge at 11.30 am.

It is family flowers only, with all donations going to the Devon Air Ambulance and the South Hams Hospital League of Friends.

Two cornered battle for Dartmouth council seat

IT is to be a two cornered contest at the ballot boxes for the election of a new Dartmouth Town Councillor to fill the vacant Dartmouth Clifton ward seat.

As the deadline for withdrawals passed on  April 11 two candidates will do battle at the polling station – the Guildhall in Victoria Road, Dartmouth on Thursday May 3 between 7am and 10pm.

They are Richard Cooke, of 42, Crowther’s Hill, Dartmouth, who describes himself as independent, and Hayley Rundle, of Apartment 1, 1-3, Victoria Road, Dartmouth. She does not reveal under what banner she stands.

The seat fell vacant after the resignation of Cllr Paul Reach, who resigned on March 6 with the intention of restarting the Dartmouth Chamber of Trade.

Poll cards are being sent out to all eligible electors by second class post after the close of withdrawals. The poll card indicates the dates for applications to vote by post or proxy.

Deadlines for post or proxy votes can also be found here:

http://www.southhams.gov.uk/notice_of_election_-_dartmouth_clifton.pdf

Silent strimmer gives golden moment for council staff

WE know it is a lot less bovver with a hovver, but ground staff at South Hams District Council headquarters are finding the testing of a new battery driven ‘silent’ strimmer is literally proving that silence is golden!

With conventional petrol driven strimmers putting out an ear-splitting 116 decibels council office staff were repeatedly complaining at staff forums of being unable to concentrate when ground staff strim the nearby grass banks surrounding the building.

At one time the council would bring in teams to cut the grass at weekends, but with financial cutbacks new means had to be found to take the strain out of strimming. Rob Harkness, Greenspace Manager, decided to test one of the new French made Pellenc strimmers made with high capacity lithium-ion batteries “capable of guaranteeing a full day’s work.”

Now the new breed of garden tool strims at an ear-kindly 94 decibels – four decibels below the recommended level where ear defenders are needed - and compared to the £6.50 it costs to run a two stroke petrol strimmer a day, it now costs just £0.08p per day. A ‘silent golden’ saving of £6.42 a day.

No wonder the machines are being pioneered by the NHS, so as not to disturb patients, and the National Trust and Dartmoor National Park to keep the peace of the countryside intact.

After testing the strimmer outside the office of Council Chairman Cllr Rufus Gilbert he said: “Fantastic – I couldn’t hear a thing.”

Said Rob: “We make far too much noise when we work near the windows of Follaton House. And we have spent in the past £7,000 a year having the work done on Staturdays and Sundays. But now cost factors mean we have to find a cheaper way.

“We are just using it at Follaton House at the moment,” he said. “It is by way of an experiment. These are new era machines with greatly improved battery power guaranteed for six years. The staff find them easier to use (they are twice as light), with less vibration, and fewer carbon emissions, which is better from a Health and Safety aspect, odourless and they are much quieter. And what a saving 8p a day to run!”

He added: “The battery charges overnight, but at times it needs to be done at lunch time. After 30 minutes charging it is ready to finish the working day. The staff like it because it is easy to use and because you don’t need to stop to refuel the strimmer, you can get more work done.”

Peter Osborne, South Hams Health and Safety Officer, said: “This ticks all the boxes – comfort, cost, and consideration for others.”

Ends

Plumber Paul rescues ‘distressed’ adder lady

For local authority plumber and retained Totnes fireman Paul Chambers repairing vandal damage plumbing at Slapton’s Strete Gate public conveniences on Monday and saving a lady in distress was all in a day’s work.

Paul, who works for South Hams District Council, had gone to repair £400 to £500 pounds worth of vandal damage to pipe work and was working in the gentlemen’s loo when he heard a woman screaming.

When he went to investigate he found an adder, Britain’s most venomous snake, had slithered down from the nearby hedge and was basking in the recent sunshine on the floor of the toilets outside the woman’s cubicle.

“He had obviously dropped out of the hedge after the woman had gone to the toilet, and was enjoying basking on the warm paving slab floor,” said Steve Howrihane, Building Manager, based at the Totnes Depot.

“It was right outside the door and she was not totally impressed by the adder being there.  Paul just took a length of copper pipe and, much to her relief, picked up the adder and put it back into the hedge unharmed. She was very grateful.”

Steve added: “Paul had never seen an adder before, but then not that many have.  It was certainly a first for us.  I don’t think we have had a situation like this before.

“He did really well, because although he gets plenty of training in Health and Safety for the job it doesn’t cover removing adders from public toilets. But then he is a retained fireman so he should be ready to deal with anything.”

Afterwards Paul told workmates: “When I went back to carry on with my plumbing I shook out my coat to make sure I didn’t have one in there. And I made sure I didn’t leave my coat on the floor again! ”

South Hams Executive Member for Assets, Councillor Bill Hitchins, said: “We do spend a lot of money on training our staff to cope in many difficult situations but snake charming is not one of the skills they are taught.  Paul did really well and showed great presence of mind to use a length of copper pipe to remove the unwelcome intruder.”   

‘Great Escape’ for Dartmouth’s new tennis courts

Dartmouth’s £150,000 refurbished tennis courts have been saved from being ripped up a matter of months after they were given their major overhaul – amid engineering workings reminiscent of mining tunnels that would not disgrace a remake of the Second World War film epic The Great Escape.

Engineers working on the project had to resort to old fashioned mining techniques called “timber heading” complete with trolleys on rails to haul out the spoil after seven ancient tree stumps thwarted the massive drilling bit – or auger – just eight metres short of the 46metres to cross beneath the Coronation Park courts.

In a triumph of collaborative working and innovative engineering between site owners South Hams District Council, South West Water, and their engineers Balfour Beatty it was agreed to try to use a giant laser-guided auger to bore a 150mm hole to carry a new sewer pipe to relieve a flooding problem in Coombe Road.

But like the PoWs in The Great Escape there were risks – which curiously dated back to the Second World War.  The ground beneath the courts was used by the Americans in 1942 as a base for part of the war effort and engineers had no clear idea what they might find. In another part of the site is buried an early submarine and other smaller one man subs.  

Tom King, site manager for Balfour Beatty, said: “It would have been unthinkable cutting  up the courts and not necessarily less expensive since once we had broken the concrete slab on which the courts were placed reinstating, and resurfacing that would have been quite difficult and possibly costly.”

First engineers had to sink a 2.1metre diameter precast concrete manhole, and behind it cast a concrete thrust block to take auger drilling loads of up to 100 tons. The auger was then bolted in position and the drill pushed through.

Tom added: “Seven metres from the far edge of the courts we hit an obstruction.  We then had to have a three man team tunnelling in the old fashioned way from the other side putting up timber heading and shuttering to support the many tons of earth and courts above the 1.2metre square tunnel.

“We installed a rail track to carry out the soil and had all the Health and Safety checks carried out because this is a high risk activity. We even pumped in a fresh supply of air and the men were only allowed to use their air picks for 18 minutes at a time to avoid vibration injuries. We removed 20 tons of soil, seven tree roots and scores of old bottles.”

Site foreman Anthony Coles said: “We were lucky to make it across under the courts as far as we did with the auger. There are submarines, including one man subs and other debris buried here we might have come up against. As it is I think those tree stumps were buried in 1942 when the Americans had their base here.”

Work began in November to make a connection between the Coombe Road sewer to another on the other side of the courts nearer the river that had spare capacity to cope with storm conditions that previously caused flooding in the road around the park.

Councillor Bill Hitchins, South Hams Executive Member for Assets, said: “South Hams District Council is delighted that South West Water has completed the construction of the new sewer at Coronation Park with only limited disturbance.

“The District Council is currently delivering a £300k improvement scheme at the park, which has already seen a wonderful new play space installed, furniture throughout the park improved and the tennis courts completely refurbished.

He added: “With the new tennis facility and associated access improvements costing around £150,000, District Council officers have been working closely with South West Water and their contractors to protect this investment for the town, and find a way of installing the new sewer under the tennis courts with only minimal disruption.

“The fact that SWW were able to bore beneath rather than dig up the courts required an innovative approach which resulted in a successful outcome for all parties, and is a good example of the two organisations working closely together.”

Council steps in to protect ‘multi-million pound’ Salcombe crab industry

HAND picked Devon crab is a delicacy across Europe and as far afield as China and is part of a “multi-million pound industry” buried in the heart of the South Hams at the picturesque tourist hotspot of Salcombe.

For many years the crabbing fleet - 24 crabbers are currently registered to the port -  have plied their trade and in 2010 they landed between them 1,300 tonnes of shellfish – 90 per cent of which was crab and destined for plates around the UK and beyond.

Now widespread corrosion currently poses a potential threat to the sheet piling of the  Batson Creek Fish Quay and South Hams District Council has commissioned a major plan to upgrade facilities and protect the future of the 40 people employed in this prestige fishery.

Tracy Windemer, South Hams Engineer in charge of bringing the project to life, said: “If we don’t do this work there could be a major structural failure of the quay. This is a major project to protect the fishery for the future benefit of the port as a whole.”

The value of landings at Salcombe has grown year on year from £1.3million in 2005 to £2.2million in 2010 and in tonnage terms from 800 to 1,300 tonnes in the same period.  

It is the port’s prestige part in providing such world-wide delicacies that has formed the basis of a bid for a European Fisheries Fund grant for match funding to “provide a better operational base for the future of the industry and try to segregate the public and leisure use of the other parts of the quay,” said Tracy.

The sheet piling is being replaced and in parts extended to allow for 40 tonne fish lorries to make circular pick-ups – and be kept clear of the public car park and other leisure users using the adjacent public launching facilities in the creek. The construction work is likely to start in October this year and be completed by April 2013.

When finished the whole of the quay will be resurfaced and marked out to keep the various users segregated and provide a fishery landing befitting a “multi-million pound local industry with two processing plants and various workshops and stores for the fishermen,” said Tracy.

Within the next six weeks consultants will be conducting site investigation work using a mobile drilling rig to take core samples on the quay, which is built on reclaimed land and has suffered some pitting. Consultants need to establish what materials make up the quay.  They will also be checking the piling retaining tie rods – all are needed to prepare a draft tender document to price the project.

The port’s Harbourmaster Ian Gibson said: “Next winter will require balancing the requirements of the fishermen, car parks, contractors, winter storage and our boating customers, but with good liaison and a bit of give and take we should be able to satisfy all the differing requirements of the port users”.

Councillor John Carter, chairman of Salcombe Harbour Board, and Executive Member for Planning and Community Delivery, and a town councillor said: “It is vital that we safeguard the future of our highly prized crab fishery here at Salcombe – which has been growing year by year and is now supplying crab to the Chinese as well as Europe.

“This project demonstrates that we understand the importance of the fishery to Salcombe and want to show that not only do we support it but want to provide the right conditions for it to thrive and expand. All we ask is for all the parties to be tolerant during the construction process.  It will be well worth it in the end.”

David Morgan, Chairman of the South Devon Channel Fishermen Ltd, said: “Our local fishing industry is a vital part of our local economy and it is in the interests of everyone to publicise the matter. Many people in the South Hams have no idea of the scale of crabbing and of the importance it plays in ports like Salcombe and Dartmouth.”

Giant leap forward for Olympics preparations

Preparations for the London 2012 Games have taken a giant leap forward today following the announcement of the street route the torch will take when it passes through the South Hams on May 20, 2012.

South Hams District Council and the London 2012 Organising Committee have been working together on the once-in-a-lifetime event which will see torchbearers carry the famous flame through the streets of some communities in the district.

Today the specific street route, timings and torchbearers have been announced and can be viewed at: www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay.

Residents, schools, community clubs and other groups from across the district are invited to plan their celebrations to mark the day. The flame will be in the first few days of its journey around the UK and the eyes of the world will be on the South Hams as the Torch passes through Brixton, Yealmpton, Modbury, Kingsbridge, West Charleton, Chillington, Torcross, Stoke Fleming, Dartmouth and Totnes.

Cllr Rufus Gilbert, South Hams District Council Chairman said: “We’re very excited to have so many communities on the Torch relay route – it’s a great opportunity for residents to come out, line the streets and to highlight the things that we in the South Hams are so proud of while the world is watching.

“We’ve already had interest from most of the communities on the route who are keen to hold events such as sports days and dance workshops. If anyone has other ideas - perhaps celebrating our boating tradition, we urge them to get in touch with the district council.”

Inspirational Ivybridge Primary School teacher Laura Plane has been selected as one of the torchbearers who will carry the Olympic torch in the South Hams. Despite having been diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing chemo and radio therapies in 2010, Laura continued to run, completing her 5th Plymouth half-marathon less than a year after her diagnosis.

Having beaten cancer and run her 6th half marathon, she is now back at work encouraging children to get involved with sport. Laura said: “I feel so proud to have even been nominated, and to be selected to carry the torch is just a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m grateful to have an extra way of inspiring young people to get involved with sport and to be a torchbearer in the South Hams is great, as the area is so close to my heart. I know that plenty of family, friends, pupils, parents and colleagues will be out on May 20 cheering us all on.”

For support and information about organising community events please email games2012@swdevon.gov.uk or complete the online form at www.westdevon.gov.uk.

For ideas and resources for schools to make the most of the Olympic Torch Relay please visit getset.london2012.com.

South Hams Olympic torch street route map (pdf).

Post Office donate 100 stamps to Newcomen Celebrations

One hundred special stamps bearing the mark of Newcomen’s atmospheric steam engine are making their way to the Dartmouth chairman of the Newcomen 300 Committee – after the town’s Post Office ran out within five days of the commemorative stamps going on sale in the town.

The stamp is part of a special issue by the Post Office called Britons of Distinction Stamp Set and features his atmospheric engine. One of the few remaining original engines is housed in the Newcomen Engine House  on the edge of Royal Avenue Gardens which is now undergoing a £25,000 revamp by South Hams District Council to mark the 300^th anniversary of his epoc-making invention.

Ray Bridges, Newcomen 300 Committee chairman, who has been given the task of helping to celebrate one of the town’s most famous sons said: “We only found out when one of our volunteers, Jane Mitchell, saw them in the Dartmouth Post Office and bought the remaining stock of 15 stamps. She later went to Exeter Post Office and bought a further 20 stamps for the Newcomen 300 Committee's use.

“You would imagine that when the Post Office come to market stamps such as these they would check to see if there are special situations which would create a greater demand and adjust the supply accordingly,” said Ray.

“We are trying to raise funds and interest in having an obelisk created to put on the main roundabout into the town to mark Dartmouth as the birthplace of the man who powered-up the Steam Age and the industrial revolution.  It would be a nice, professional touch to have sent out the letters with these commemorative stamps on.”

He added: “This is very kind of the Post Office to donate the stamps in this way to our commemorative cause – especially as a first class stamp is now 46p. Our letters will be enhanced a great deal by having a stamp struck in honour of the man we are trying to raise funds locally to celebrate.”

Dartmouth Post Office Manager Vanetia Higgins said: “We had 80 sets, 800 stamps.  They are in sets of 10 and Newcomen’s was just one of them.  We sold the 80 in five days. I didn’t know about the Newcomen Celebrations.  I don’t have any say in what commemorative stamps come in.  It just happened to be in this Britons of Distinction collection.”

The South Hams District Council project involved taking down a Holm Oak tree to create a Newcomen ‘mini’ plaza and a new entrance way for the engine house as part of the anniversary celebrations. The oak tree is now being used by a Dartmouth sign maker and wood carver Phil Hudson to fashion a ship’s figurehead for an ancient craft at the maritime museum at Topsham, Exeter.  

The committee will be marking the event with a special celebration opening ceremony on May 22 at 5pm.  It is to be opened by another Dartmouth inventor Alvin Smith. His  Searaser  idea for harnessing power locked within waves uses a floating piston to pump water on to disused reservoirs, where it is stored. When released to a hydro electric turbine it creates energy.

Mr Smith, 65, who has filed patents for Searaser in 130 countries, contends that with11,000 of the pumps installed around the country they would provide enough power for every home in the UK.

Chairman Ray said: “It just seemed so right to have an inventor, particularly a Dartmouth inventor like Alvin, opening the new plaza tribute to our great industrial forefather.  He was thrilled to be ask as we were thrilled that he accepted.”

Follaton House bat colony saved!

BATS, in a 20-strong colony which may have been roosting in the roof of the 13^th Century Follaton House for centuries, have now been made to feel entirely at home – and given their own “fly through” front door.

When South Hams District Council, decided after 30 years to fulfil their obligations to repaint and repair their Grade II*-listed Follaton headquarters, conservation officers at the council Richard Gage and Nils White suggest engineer Paul Taper check for winged residents – not paying their council tax.

Paul brought in Ecological Consultant David Wills, a bat expert from Denbury, to do a bat survey in the incredible maze of roof spaces in the ancient building. What they found was a 20-strong colony of brown long-eared bats David classed as a “nursery colony”. Each female bat has one offspring a year which is fed on milk until it is able to hunt for insects on the wing.

Now seven bat vents have been specially adapted and placed on the main roof and a “fly through” front door fashioned in the maintenance access door to allow the bats, particularly greater horseshoe bats which are known to be in the area, to swoop straight into the building from the roof ridge.

Engineer Paul, who supervised the work, after taking on the handling of the renovation works on the HQ, said: “These new entrance ways had to be made because we found the bats were getting in through a small triangular break in one of the slates.  We were also replacing lead that had been stripped and stolen last summer and roof tiles.  Had we gone ahead without checking we would have shut them out. Now the colony has been saved and has security of tenure!”

Paul added: “The roofs voids at Follaton are labyrinthian.  How the bats ever found their way around in there is a really neat trick. I am really glad we checked because had we found them after the contract had started it could have caused expensive delays. As it is we have made them at home for less than £350.”

Bat Expert David Wills who advised on how to best cater for the colony said: “In order to establish whether there were more bats than just the colony of brown long-eared bats in the roof we set up an Anabat Recorder, an ultra sound recording device, right outside their main entrance under the rotten door into the roof.  We found greater horseshoe, pipistrelle and whiskered bats coming and going too.”

Deputy Leader of the Council Cllr Michael Hicks said: “I have long thought that we are home to some rare breeds (bats of course!) but with lodgers on this scale we really did need to see to it that our affordable housing was up to scratch – even for our bat family. I do feel it is the height of ingenuity to have a fly through front door”.

But it seems that Follaton is also a home to several families of Swifts which have nested under the eaves and painters working for the main contractor Ian Williams worked around them.  Half a dozen jackdaws have also made their homes in the bricked up, unused chimneys of the old HQ building.

Why Council backs CAB’s essential work …   

A NINE-strong voluntary team of South Hams Citizens Advice Bureau outreach staff secured £282,425 in benefit payments to help desperate residents – who were unable or unaware they could claim.

A dramatic profile of the plight of residents in the area has been painted in a report to South Hams District Council which this year has ploughed £61,876 into the service to ensure help in hardship is maintained.

These figures were from three outreach operations established by South Hams CAB in Dartmouth, Ivybridge and Kingsbridge, during a six month period from April to September last year. The council have always placed great emphasis on their work - and this is the second year they have given a £10,000 top up grant to help support the outreach and home visitor work and £10,000 to support a debt advisor.

In that period they dealt with 138 clients from the three towns and by far the highest numbers were residents seeking help over benefits: 381 enquiries – 68 in Dartmouth, 181 in Ivybridge and 132 in Kingsbridge.  

The second highest enquiry was over help with debts – 137 enquiries, of which 20 were from Dartmouth, 78 from Ivybridge and 39 from Kingsbridge.  CAB staff helped clients manage a staggering £132,567 of debt.

Councillor Mike Saltern, South Hams Executive Member for Environment Health and Housing, said: “For many Ivybridge residents the difficulties in accessing transport to Totnes often deter them from seeking help from the CAB. While the phone service is extremely good there are often complex issues which require personal interviews and a friendly supportive individual’s help and assurance can make all the difference to someone in distress. It is for this reason that that the outreach service is so vitally important to Ivybridge and is so greatly valued.

“In years gone by we had our own CAB office in the Town and it was a sad loss when it was no longer able to be supported in the rationalisationof CAB resources. The need for an outreach service especially in these difficult times for our town of nearly 13,000 people is plain for all to see. My personal thanks are extended to the CAB for the excellent service they provid

Mayor of Ivybridge Cllr Trevor Parsons said: “The continuation of the outreach service in Ivybridge during 2012 is greatly welcomed as the initial funding of £5,000 from the Town Council’s Localism budget enabled the CAB to develop its popular drop in service during 2011, and it is clear from the figures that significant numbers of people have taken advantage of the assistance.

“The Town Council has a long history of working closely with the CAB and continues to provide a room at The Watermark plus a grant each year, so we are pleased to be working in partnership to support this important service. The voluntary agencies have an important role to play in the current economic climate, especially those helping to ensure that people receive the right benefits and help with managing debts. We certainly encourage those who attend our weekly Work Club meetings to use the CAB and I know that they find it invaluable.”

Lin Etherden, a CAB Project Worker, who wrote the report underlined the need for outreach  centres.  She wrote: “We are identifying that there are many clients who either cannot afford or have trouble contacting us at the main bureau in Totnes and the examples we have quoted show that clients would not have received the advice they needed and continue to struggle with their problems. The outcomes for these clients are enormous and really do make a big difference to their lives.”

The report quotes three case studies:

Clients 1: A couple “at their wits end” trying to convince the Department of Work and Pensions that they were owed eight weeks worth of Job Seekers Allowance, Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit. Their money had run out.  They had no money to pay the rent and bills the following week or buy food. The CAB worker got immediate results after calls to the council’s benefits office and following a call to the DWP was told “there would be no problem to recalculate their payments immediately and get the outstanding award sent out by the end of the day and in their bank account in time to pay the rent. This phone call took place at 3.30pm!” It turned out that the council had been working with “incorrect information" about their income – “the problem stemmed from them being in an out of work mainly due to redundancy and seasonal work.”  When everything was sorted Housing Benefit covered the rent due with 81p spare! The couple who have never been in debt before, and would not have been had this confusion not arisen, are being given further advice on a Debt Relief Order on a bank loan they could no long afford to pay and help in claiming outstanding Job Seeker Allowance payments.

Lin says: “The client never imagined we would be able to do so much for her. The outcome for this client was over £1,000 recovered in benefits and £7,000 of debt managed through a Debt Relief Order. And this is fairly typical of the level of service for clients coming to the drop in at outreach.”

Client 2: The case with this client has yet to be resolved but it surrounds a mother of a grown up disabled son (who is not getting the benefits he is due) whose income is far lower than her expenses and who has debts of £6,000.  She had been affected by the Housing Benefit changes and it was impossible for her to journey to Totnes CAB. She cancelled a debt appointment and did not rebook.

Lin says: “Normally the bureau would not have the resources to do this kind of back checking and her predicament would have gone undetected by us unless the client had got in touch again. Thanks to the outreach funding it is possible to pick up these kinds of disasters waiting to happen and we are now helping the client to resolve her issues.”

Client 3: Another mother existing on a “very meagre pension” and not claiming pension credits has a grown up disabled son whose Income Support was stopped accidentally in 2009.  For two years she had been unsuccessful in explaining to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) that her son was “incapable of dealing with the problem himself.”

Lin says: “The client was unable to travel out of the town and unable to access any services not in the town. The bureau managed to get the DWP to understand the situation and release two and half years back payments of Income Support for the client’s son after about two months of hard work.”

Outreach drop in sessions are:

Ivybridge:  Community Room, Watermark, Erme Court, Leonards Road, Ivybridge, PL21 0SZ. Monday 10am - 1pm.

Dartmouth: Dartmouth Clinic, Mayor’s Avenue, TQ6 9NF. Wednesday 1:30pm - 2:30pm

Kingsbridge:Quay House,Kingsbridge, TQ7 1PP. Wednesday 10am - 11am

To book and appointment call: 01803 862392 (10am – 1pm

2pm – 4pm).  

Warning over Scissor Lady out for cut price refunds!

South Devon retailers are being alerted to the Scissor Lady fraudster who has a rather novel take on shopping for cut priced goods.  Her scam is a real snip – literally with scissors!

Scissor Lady first struck in Launceston costing retailers “hundreds of pounds” and West Devon Borough Council has been asked by the town’s chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Paul Loft to alert their Tavistock counterparts and other retailers in the area.

The alert goes out after a spate of incidents in the town which saw 11 shops targets in the damaged goods scam and another three shops where goods had been damaged by scissors but no refunds claimed.

She has targeted a range of shops, from pet shops to chemists, newsagents, hardware shops and gift shops, and seems to select goods with a value of £20 or more. Everything from reading glasses, books, pet collars  and toys, scarves, gloves and hardware items.

Paul says:  “A woman has been visiting shops, taking things from shelves unseen, then taking them to the counter and saying she purchased the item(s) some days ago and they are damaged.

“Before taking the items to the counter she is damaging the items herself, usually by cutting them with scissors, or simply breaking them in her hand”.

The woman targets items which are the last of their type on the shelf and with a value in excess of £20. By targeting the last of a particular line she stands less chance of being offered a replacement item and can push for the cash refund she is really after.

Paul added: “Of course she has no receipts, but targets shops which are national chains (and may therefore offer refunds without receipts) or small independents where she tries to intimidate shop staff.  If a refund is not offered quickly, she says she is in a hurry with children waiting in the car, in order to try to rush and confuse shop staff”.

The incidents came to light after a chamber of commerce member went around all shops in town and alerted them to the issue. She is described as between 35 and 45, quite short and with shoulder length dark hair.

Paul adds: “Because of the nature of the scam, many were unaware they had been conned, seeing it as just an individual instance of a customer refund for damaged goods.  It was only when we all started to talk together about it that all the instances come to light.

“It seems the woman made good money in Launceston over the course of last week, taking hundreds of pounds from businesses who not only lost the cash they refunded for a sale that was never made, but are also left with damaged goods which they cannot sell”.

Police Sgt Dave Anning, based at Tavistock, said:  “This is a really unusual way of committing crime and doubly nasty because it not only defrauds the retailer of money but also leaves them with damaged goods.

“The good news is that this is so unusual it may assist us in proving a large number of offences if we can catch this woman.

“I’d like to ask anyone who believes this is happening to dial 999 and if possible keep the woman in sight until police arrive. If the woman runs off the best course of action would be to follow her and get the registration details of any car she is driving.

“I would not recommend tackling her as she evidently carries something sharp for causing the damage and has been aggressive towards staff.”

Garden to get ‘plaza feel’ for Newcomen 300 celebrations

Work to celebrate the anniversary of Dartmouth’s most famous son, Thomas Newcomen, whose invention of the steam engine kick started the industrial revolution, will be started in the town’s Royal Avenue Gardens next week.

The long awaited improvements to the gardens, costing £25,000, will enhance access to the Newcomen Engine House, where his epoch-making invention is displayed to provide a lasting legacy for his birthplace.

The project is being led locally by the Newcomen 300 Committee, and has the backing of Dartmouth Town Council and South Hams District Council, who own and manage the park. This year marks 300th anniversary of his invention which changed the world and heralded in the age of steam.

The plan is to open up the corner of the park to create the feel of a small plaza with a new entrance to the Engine House. This includes the removal of the tree which currently shades out the corner, making it dark and unusable, and is also undermining the Engine House and the Tourist Information Centre buildings by damaging the foundations.

Five new snake bark maple trees will be planted nearby as attractive replacements.

In its place will be a new paved area which will create an attractive space for sitting and relaxing, with new shrub beds and floral displays. There will be new benches and a sculpture as a focal point to the area.

Two new gaps will be created to open up access from the car park and Mayors Avenue.

The Engine House building is also being enhanced, both inside and out, to create an environment worthy of the historic engine inside.

South Hams District Councillor Hilary Bastone said: “This is a very exciting project for Dartmouth. We have the opportunity to vastly improve a ‘black hole’ within the town’s magnificent Royal Avenue Gardens and create a legacy for generations to come with the emphasis on use by the young. The Newcomen area will be accessible by all and disabled friendly”.

Newcomen 300 Committee Chairman Ray Bridges said: “It is brilliant support from South Hams District Council for a local unrecognised industrial genius who has been underrated previously and this will provide a lasting legacy.  This is about all the years to come not just the 300^th anniversary year and that is key to what the council is doing for the town.

He added: “Isaac Newton lived at the same time and applied the laws of gravity. He became Sir Isaac Newton.  This man Thomas Newcomen invented a machine that defied the laws of gravity and pumped water uphill – pure genius.”

The funds for the project have come from the Dartmouth Supermarkets s106 developer’s contribution fund, Dartmouth Town Council and South Hams District Council.

The new facility will be fully open and ready for use by early May, in preparation for the N300 celebrations throughout 2012. Copies of the plan can be viewed at The Guildhall, or on the new information board in Royal Avenue Gardens.

Photovoltaics see South Hams Council join ‘green’ revolution

EVERY time the sun shines on its Follaton House headquarters, South Hams District Council is saving money on its electricity – which after eight years will be entirely free.

The council, which recently decided to reduce its carbon footprint, has just installed a bank of photovoltaic panels on the roof of its offices to harvest electricity from the sun at a cost of £25,000.

They decided to install the panels to take advantage of the Government’s Feed in Tariff which allows consumers to sell back their spare electricity to the National Grid and offset their power costs.  

Though these panels will not generate enough power to totally supply Follaton House with any spare, they will pay for themselves in eight years.

Councillor Keith Wingate, who along with Councillors Tony Barber, and Robert Vint helped to push the scheme through, said: “This is much better for the environment and for all our futures. This is all part of the council’s policy of working towards sustainable futures.”

John Iles, Facilities and Accommodation Manager, of South Hams and West Devon, said: “These panels are set to make savings over the next 25 years of £130,000 on the current Feed  In Tariff  figures and the reduced requirement of electricity from the grid.  That is a major saving.  And we are looking to achieve pay back in eight years.”

The 10KwP (Kilo Watt Peak) PV system has been installed by South West FreeEnergy and the amount of energy being generated is being continually updated in a meter display above the main reception at Follaton House – to show the public that South Hams has joined the green revolution.

Dartmouth’s J/80 Worlds coup ‘could bring in £1m’

DARTMOUTH, already renowned for its Royal Regatta and the top sailors it draws to pit their wits and skills in taking line honours around the race marks in Start Bay, can now add another prestige sailing event under its belt - the J80 World Sailing Championships.

The world championships, being hosted by Britannia Yacht Club, based at Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, the Royal Dart Yacht Club and the J/80 UK Class Association are being held between June 9 and 15.

Race headquarters, for the predicted 80 race teams, which are likely to involve 500 people, will be on Coronation Park and South Hams District Council staff have played a major role in accommodating the racing keel boats and the race organisers.  

A spokesman for the race organisers said: “We expect 80 competing teams, or 320 to 400 competitors, plus a touring party of around 100 extras”.

A Dartmouth councillor for South Hams District Council Hilary Bastone, who has been overseeing arrangements for the prestige event, said: “This is proving a really good money maker for the town and is really underpinning the port as a great venue to stage exciting sailing events – particularly with Start Bay being both sheltered and challenging.

“We estimate that this event could bring in between £500,000 to £1m for the town,” he added.  “It is a really prestige event and will do nothing but enhance the reputation of Dartmouth as the sailing venue. Last year’s J/80 Worlds were held in Copenhagen. And in 2010 they were in Newport, Rhode Island, USA.

“We have already had a lot of block bookings from the teams wanting to come down in advance to accustom themselves to local sailing conditions in advance of the championships. At first we had race officials book our apartments now we are taking advance bookings for race teams.”

The college will provide a spectacular backdrop, with a drinks reception on the terrace in front of BRNC to kick off the week on Monday and a special black tie banquet on Friday at which the World Champion J/80 crew will be “crowned.”

A spokesman for South Hams council added: “All the J/80 keelboats will arrive by trailer to a mustering point provided by South Hams District Council and the college will help out in providing space for trailer parking.”

The college has its own own J/80, “Wave Warrior”, recently donated by the BYC, which encourages young officer cadets to take up sailing and Chris Ducker, owner of SLAM UK, the championship’s major sponsor will also be racing his brand new J/80 at the Worlds.

SLAM UK is a cutting edge company producing a technologically advanced clothing range to suit competitive yachtsmen and is now a key partner of  Key Yachting Ltd the UK agent and distributor for the J/80 Sportsboat and for the whole range of yachts by J Boats.

South Hams District Council confirms council tax increase of 6.5 pence a week

South Hams District Council is increasing its share of the council tax bill to protect any cuts to frontline services in the future.

The 2.5% rise amounts to an extra £3.36 a year, an increase of 6.5 p per week for the average Band D property.

Council Leader Cllr John Tucker said the decision made by the Council today (Feb 9) was difficult. He said that the authority would be left with a £129,000 ‘black hole’ in the future if it accepted the Government’s grant to freeze the council tax.

He said: “The Government is only compensating us for one year and that gives us a real problem. If we accept the grant of £129,000, we would have to find that amount next year plus all the extra costs our services face every year too, such as inflation.

“Increasing the council tax now for 2012-13 puts us in a better position to stop any cuts in front line services in the future.

”All the comments I am getting from residents indicate to me we are broadly in line with what people would prefer us to do. They do seem to want frontline services maintained.

”We recognise that our decision will affect our communities, particularly vulnerable people. But anyone struggling to pay their council tax can call the Council and we will help them as much as we can.”

South Hams currently collects the third lowest council tax in Devon at £134.52. The 2012/13 increase will take the average Band D cost for South Hams District Council services to £137.88, which is still well below the Devon District Council average of £152 a year.

The difficult economic climate has added to the budget pressures for the Council with inflation costs now at more than £315,000 on a £9 million net budget. Central government has cut the Council’s grant funding by £490,000 this financial year, the equivalent of a 9.5% increase in council tax. Low interest rates have meant that income on Council investments has dropped by £50,000 and the Council is suffering a downturn in income from recycling, as householders are buying less and therefore recycling less.

Despite these pressures, the Council has managed to save just over £1 million through a variety of initiatives including sharing its services with West Devon Borough Council. This partnership is saving South Hams District Council £600,000 every year, which is the equivalent of an 11% saving in council tax.

Cllr Tucker added: “If we had not had the foresight to share services with West Devon over the last five years, we would be looking at cuts to our frontline services – and we are making no cuts to these services this financial year.”

Existing charges for all current South Hams District Council car parks are being frozen for the next year to help local businesses and residents. The Council says it will strive to maintain the fairest deal possible for car park users despite the challenging economic climate.

The Council is also granting an extra £10,000 to the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to help meet the needs of local people affected by the economic downturn. The charity’s grant from the Council totals just over £50,000. CAB works closely with the Council’s housing and benefits teams to help provide independent debt and benefits advice to South Hams residents. The Council is also funding a front line anti-social behaviour officer who last year dealt with 246 referrals to the service.

The Councillors’ Locality Budget, which gives each Councillor a small fund to spend on a community project within their own ward, is also being increased from £1,000 to £1,500 per Councillor.

However the Council has taken the difficult decision to cut its funding to Villages in Action and arts grants, totalling £11,800.

Council tax is collected by South Hams District Council on behalf of the district council, town and parish councils, the county council, the police and the fire and rescue service.
Residents who need council tax help and advice can call South Hams District Council on 01803 861275 for assistance. Staff will help them work out a payment plan and give information about council tax benefit.

~Ends~

NOTES TO EDITORS

Although South Hams District Council collects the full council tax bill, the district only keeps just under 9% of the total. In 2011/12, the council tax bill was divided as follows:

73% - Devon County Council

10% - Devon and Cornwall Police Authority

9% - South Hams District Council

5% - Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority

3% - Town and parish councils

Not all the authorities listed above have set their council tax for 2012/13 yet.

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Council grants free regatta park-and-ride concession to parking permit holders

A MAJOR concession has been granted to South Hams residents who hold car park permit and wish to use the park-and-ride facilities during Dartmouth Regatta Week.

They will now be able to use their £21 a year South Hams District Council issued permit to gain free entry to the town on the park and ride scheme – avoid paying the standard £10 a day charge during regatta week – with all passengers in their vehicles travelling free to the town centre.

The car park permit already allows motorists to park in any South Hams owned car park for free between 4pm and 10am. And use the Dartmouth park-and-ride, outside of regatta week, entirely free for the whole day – with free travel for as many people as are in the car – thus avoiding the normal £5 charge.

On regatta week (August 30 to Sept 1) the normal charge is £10 a day, but that has now been waived for permit holders only.

Dartmouth Regatta Chairman and South Hams Councillor Hilary Bastone says: “Following the 2011 Royal Regatta we did say we needed to make life more comfortable for residents throughout South Hams – and this is one of the things that will do just that.  It will provide them with a means of using the town’s park-and-ride without getting into heavy expense.”

South Hams Executive Member for Environment Services Cllr Jonathan Hawkins, who campaigned for free concession for regatta week, said: “This is really great news for all those South Hams residents with permits who really appreciate the special atmosphere of Dartmouth Royal Regatta and want to join in fully for the week of events.  It will not now break the bank but provide the chance of wonderful days out for the whole family – at the South Coast’s premier regatta.”

The permits are available by calling South Hams Customer Service on 01803 861234.

Get the low-down on community safety first-hand

RESIDENTS are being invited to meet those responsible for community safety this month as the South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership holds its annual forum.

The event will be held on Wednesday  February 22 in Rattery Village Hall, South Hams, bringing together senior police, council, fire service and housing association officers to update people on their work around South Devon and Dartmoor.

The event runs from 12.30pm  to 4pm, offering refreshments as officials discuss everything from anti-social behaviour to Neighbourhood Watches to safer driving campaigns.

Designed to bring people up to date, explain local powers to tackle crime and give people the chance to ask questions first-hand, the event will also give information about initiatives which people might not be familiar with.  These include an Alcohol Diversion Scheme, which offers people a £30 discount on fixed fines for public drunkenness in return for attending a workshop about the effects of alcohol abuse and Drinking Banning Orders, which can be made by courts to prevent people visiting any licensed premises like bars, restaurants and more.

Ian Bollans, Chair of the South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership said: “This will be a great opportunity for people to meet senior officers and ask any questions first-hand.  There are lots of agencies involved in the Community Safety Partnership and the work we do is quite diverse.  Although we live in a very safe part of the country we need to maintain our efforts to keep crime down, and also make sure local people aren’t unduly afraid of crime.

“The Forum will explain more about our work, but importantly it also gives us a chance to listen to local views and concerns.  We’re welcoming anybody who’d like to come along and would be pleased to see as many people as possible there.”

Anyone who’d like to come along can register to attend by emailing communitysafety@teignbridge.gov.uk or phoning 01626 215894.  The Community Safety Partnership also produces a quarterly newsletter, so anybody who can’t attend but would like to keep up to speed can subscribe using the contact details above.

The South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership is made up of representatives from Teignbridge District Council, South Hams District Council, West Devon Borough Council, Dartmoor National Park, Devon County Council, Police, Police Authority, NHS Devon, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Probation Service, Integrated Youth Service, Devon Drug and Alcohol Action Team, Voluntary Sector, Prisons, and the Federation of Small Businesses.

Its priorities for 2012/13 are Alcohol Misuse and Anti-Social Behaviour.

Police and harbour in ground-breaking link-up

IN a ground-breaking move in partnership working Salcombe Harbourmaster Ian Gibson is now sharing his estuary-side office with the local police force – for a month’s trial.

Officers of the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary approached South Hams District Council run Harbour Office several months ago in a bid to cut costs and share the office on the quay at Whitestrand – next to one of the town’s main car parks.

The constabulary has already closed many of its town police stations. Salcombe is currently being reviewed during the trial move to Whitestrand.

The police, Mr Gibson, and  Councillor John Carter, chairman of Salcombe Harbour Board are all highly supportive of the move.

The Harbourmaster said: “We have agreed in outline to a month’s trial during February.  If this works well and there are no insurmountable problems on both sides, we will make the arrangement permanent. There is more to be gained from this relationship than money.”

Cllr Carter said: “This is a real groundbreaking move – and probably the first in the country – a great example of shared working.  If we did not take them in then there would not be a police station in the town.

“The police station was more remote from the town centre. This concentrates the services on the waterfront in the centre of the town and has the benefit of not losing our police presence.  It will be a good point of contact for marine crime.  This is a win/win for us and hopefully more of a deterrent to marine criminals.”

Inspector Andrew Tomlinson, Sector Inspector for South Hams East, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for us. With our current constrained budgets any improvement in financial efficiency directly helps to protect front line services. In this case we will also be operating from a better location, central to the main focus of activity in the town. We already have a good working relationship with the Harbourmaster and working more closely can only have benefits in our shared objectives of improving safety and reducing crime in and around the harbour”.

Planting a new community orchard in Follaton Arboretum

A new community orchard will be created in Follaton Arboretum this Saturday (February 11) with the first trees being planted at 10am.

District Councillors Judy Westacott, who also serves as the Mayor of Totnes, and Robert Vint, the Deputy Mayor, will plant the first tree to mark this event.

Local people will then turn to and plant a mixture of fruit trees, including apples, pears and plums, using traditional varieties once very familiar to the area.

Follaton Arboretum is a well used public space, with an attractive walk to a popular viewpoint. Over the last two decades, many groups and individuals have planted trees to help create the arboretum, with special areas for oaks, ash, beech, maples, trees from around the world, trees with particular health benefits, and now an orchard which will bear edible fruits.

In years to come, the new orchard will provide fruit for the community, adding to the growing number of fruit and nut trees that have been planted in public spaces all over Totnes, by local volunteers.

South Hams District Council’s Greenspace Officer Keith Rennells said: “The new orchard is a very welcome addition the arboretum. Nationally, around 60 per cent of orchards have disappeared since the 1950s and the crisis has been even worse here in Devon, which has lost almost 90 per cent of its orchards.

“Projects like this will help ensure that the traditional orchard, a focal point for communities across the country and a crucial habitat for flora and fauna, will continue to be a part of our landscape”.

Cllr Judy Westacott said: “This very worthwhile project is yet another example of how people in Totnes are prepared to get directly involved in improving their local environment. The fact that the money to buy the trees was all raised locally in the town speaks volumes for how people value our landscape and its traditions, and of course our local wildlife too.”

The planting of this new orchard is the combined initiative of South Hams District Council and the Transition Town Totnes Nut and Fruit tree project.

Further information from Keith Rennells, SHDC – 01803 861234, or Wendy Stayte, Totnes Nut and Fruit Tree project – 01803 868305 or wendystayte@yahoo.co.uk

Council strengthen the line on anti-social behaviour

Police and council officers met at Follaton House, Totnes, to discuss ways of effectively dealing with low-level anti-social behaviour.

South Hams is a very low crime area and one of the safest places in the country to live and visit.

However, local people are often affected by quality of life issues which can vary from dog fouling to criminal damage and graffiti and from noisy neighbours to rowdyism in the streets.

Cllr Mike Saltern, South Hams District Council Executive Member for Environmental Health and Housing, said: "The police and council, together with other community safety partners, work closely to address anti-social behaviour at the earliest opportunity and this type of meeting ensures that grass roots activity to address these issues continues and improves".

Inspector Andy Tomlinson said: “We work closely with the council in many areas and in particular those relating to anti-social behaviour. This event has helped to build stronger links between individuals and improve our understanding of each other’s powers. This will help to improve the overall service provided to residents and visitors in the South Hams.”

In 2010 the council appointed John Ward, a retired police officer, who has been working with the police and other agencies in dealing with those persistently involved in anti-social behaviour.

John Ward said: “While South Hams is a very low crime area many people do suffer from anti-social behaviour.  My role is to co-ordinate the actions of the police, the council and other agencies in changing the behaviour that is proving to be anti-social”.

There are various ways of dealing with those involved such as signing Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, mediation, family support or ultimately resorting to the courts for the granting of Anti-social Behaviour Orders, of which there are currently four in the South Hams.

John’s full contact details and information on the service are available by using this link: http://www.southhams.gov.uk/index/residents_index/ksp-community-support/antisocial.htm

Or you can call him direct on 01803 861252 or call the Police on 101.

Connect advice takes Valentines outing to Rattery

South Hams Connect Service is visiting Rattery for the first time on Valentine’s Day and their trump card will be information messages from a variety of services – requested by the villagers themselves.

The service by South Hams District Council was pioneered by shared staff in West Devon Borough Council and extended to cover both councils’ areas. Now Connect is branching out in South Hams.

The drop in event at Rattery Village Hall on Tuesday  February 14 (10am – 12noon) will be set up as part of Totnes and Dartmouth Ring and Ride’s annual charity coffee morning and produce sale to raise funds for the service.

This first visit will showcase agencies that include Citizens Advice Bureau, Action on Hearing Loss, Community and Voluntary Service, South Hams Waste and Recycling, Call 24 and Devon Link.

Residents attending the event will be able to access all sorts of information and services along with all the usual goodies available plus a free prize draw to win a Purely Devon Hamper worth £40

The outreach drop in sessions will join the coffee morning and produce sales on a quarterly basis throughout 2012, on May 8, August 14 and November 13.

Claire Wager, South Hams Customer Service adviser, said: “This is a great opportunity to make contact with our outreach teams, who really can help with new ideas and information that will make your life safer and more comfortable. We look forward to meeting you”.

Connect advice on adult learning

IF you feel you need to build your skills and education portfolio to take that next step up or to help you to build confidence by having a qualification on paper then you should make your way to Sainsbury’s in Dartmouth on February 15.

An advisor from Devon County Council Community Adult Learning will also be talking on education among the Eccles cakes and training among the tortillas. The quality advice will help residents with any questions on the new courses starting this spring.

The drop in session from 10.30am to 1pm is being run by South Hams Connect Service, pioneered by shared staff in West Devon Borough Council and now extended to cover both councils’ areas.

Claire Wager, South Hams Customer Service adviser, said: “If you’re thinking of gaining new skills or improving old ones, building confidence or wanting to gain a qualification come and have a chat”.

An advisor will also be available from Dartmouth Caring a local charity committed to helping the elderly and vulnerable of the town along with surrounding villages of  Dittisham, Stoke Fleming, Blackawton and Strete. The charity liaises closely with the medical and care services to help people remain independent in times of need.  Volunteers are welcomed by Dartmouth Caring so if you have an hour or two to spare whether this is spending time with the clients or helping with events then pop in and have a chat.

A South Hams District Council Customer Service Adviser will also be on hand to help with a variety of public service, not for profit and charitable organisation queries.

Claire adds: “You can sometimes pick up much more than you would expect from your local store – this is one of those occasions. Education can change your fortunes. Everyone is welcome.”

South Hams decision on parking charges

The recommendation from South Hams Executive Committee on Thursday (January 26)  to the full South Hams District Council who meet on February 9 was carried by five votes to two to carry on in principle with imposing charges on the three car parks at South Brent, Aveton Gifford and, subject to overcoming any legal obstacles, Beesands, but to make up the shortfall in revenue from Reserves until the spring when further consultation would take place on all car parking and charges throughout the council’s area.

The amendment was made by the Leader of the Council Cllr John Tucker who was responding to pleas from ward councillors and a packed meeting with standing room only, not to impose charges at these times of such financial hardship.

South Hams District Council’s £10,000 boost to CAB

DESPITE a hard-fought battle to protect front-line services South Hams District Council’s Executive Committee  voted (on Thursday January 26) to grant an extra £10,000 to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

Council Leader Cllr John Tucker said: “In the long term this service saves us a great deal of money.”

He added: “They have done some outstanding work across the district particularly in our Outreach Areas – Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and Rattery.  The idea is to invest to save.  Ten thousand pounds is a good way to help the organisation in the current economic climate”.

Cllr Keith Baldry supported the move. He said: “Thank you very much for putting in the £10,000 for CAB, we can really do with it. We are really pleased.”

A final decision on the council’s budget for the next financial year – including the CAB grant -  will be made by the full council on Thursday February 9.  The council looks set to increase council tax by 2.5 per cent to for the average band D property – currently £134.52 - the third lowest council tax rate in Devon – by £3.36 a year. This amounts to an increase of 6.5p per week.

Despite the economic situation and a shortfall in funding from central government, the Council is continuing with its policy to reallocate resources to continually improve its key services to the public.

Cllr Tucker in dealing with budget savings emphasised that since 2007 sharing services with West Devon Borough Council had saved £2.9million. And savings were continuing at the rate of £600,000 a year.

He added: “If that had not happened over the last five years we would be looking at cuts to our frontline services – and we are making no cuts to services this financial year.”

Furthermore, South Hams Citizens’ Advice Bureau will receive an extra £10,000 for the next financial year, taking the charity’s grant from the Council to just over £50,000 to help meet the needs of local people affected by the economic downturn. CAB works closely with the Council’s housing and benefits teams to help provide independent debt and benefits advice to South Hams residents.

Council tax is collected by South Hams District Council on behalf of the district council, town and parish councils, the county council, the police and the fire and rescue service.

‘Inspiring’ Joe steps out to mark his 100^th birthday

FELLOW walkers, volunteers and a crowd of well-wishers cheered as Joe Baker returned to the Kingsbridge Rest Centre after a 45 minute stroll of the embankment to celebrate his 100^th birthday on Wednesday – for the third time!

One of the town’s oldest walkers, this was Joe’s third celebration party (he was 100 on January 6) and he loved every minute of it particularly walking along the embankment with fellow walkers and volunteers.

Joe joined Kingsbridge Walk and Talk five years ago and hasn’t missed a single weekly walk.

If volunteers suggest cutting the walk short due to poor weather he insists they do the full route.  He is usually at the front of the group and welcomes the assistance of a walk leader as he is visually impaired.  

Kate Wright, Walk and Talk Co-ordinator for South Hams and West Devon, said: “I find Joe inspirational.  When I asked him what his secret to a long life was his answer was: ‘A clear mind and helping other people’”.

South Hams Executive Member for Assets Cllr Bill Hitchins said: “Joe is such an inspiration to us all. He really is an object lesson in what exercise can mean in terms of staying fit and active; a real ambassador for the Walk and Talk cause.”

Kate added: “I would like to thank all the volunteers who help with Walk and Talk and in particular Barbara Arnold for taking photographs on the day and making a wonderful birthday cake with plenty of candles for Joe to blow out!”

Kingsbridge is just one of five in the South Hams. Others are Dartmouth, South Brent, Totnes and Ivybridge.

A one hour taster walk in Modbury attracted 24 people on Tuesday January 10 – to show there is interest in starting a new scheme in the town itself.  At the moment people living in Modbury have to travel to either Ivybridge or Kingsbridge. To set the ball rolling   volunteers are needed to attend a one day workshop which covers all aspects of being a volunteer with South Hams Walk and Talk.  

South Hams Walk and Talk is part of the National Initiative Walking for Health.  The aim of this initiative is to get people out in their local community to increase their physical activity and enjoy the social and physical benefits of walking.

For more details about Walk and Talk contact Kate Wright on 01822 813571, 07920 786505 or email kate.wright@southhams.gov.uk

The Walk and Talk Walking for Health scheme is supported by South Hams District Council, Devon County Council, Natural England and NHS Devon.

Lower ferry doubles up as higher ferry withdrawn

DRIVERS please note Dartmouth Lower Ferry will be extending its service next week between Tuesday January 24 to Saturday January 28 – because the Higher Ferry with be out of service for repairs.

The new times for the lower ferry, run by South Hams District Council,  will be:  One ferry will start at 06.30 hours from Kingswear, the second ferry at 07.00 hours. Two ferries will then run until 19.00 hours when the service will revert to one ferry until 22.55 hours as normal.

On Saturday the double service will finish at 18.30 hours, the normal single ferry carrying on until 22.55 hours as normal.

Business champion’s clarion call to South Hams firms

SOUTH Hams District Council’s business champion is urging leaders of ‘ground breaking’ businesses to boost the profile of the area’s skills by entering the South Devon Skills Awards.

The free to enter awards have 12 categories and Carol Trant, South Hams Business Support Officer, urges: “We need our state-of-the-art firms to step up and show that we have high skill levels in local industry in the South Hams that deserve to be recognised and highlighted.”

The awards accept nominations from employers, employees and training providers from South Hams, Torbay and Teignbridge.

Those short-listed will be invited to an evening awards ceremony at the Riviera International Centre, Torquay, on Wednesday March 28.

The South Devon Skills awards are organised by Torbay Development Agency with support from the Productive Skills for the Heart of the South West. It is part of campaign to support local enterprise and encourage businesses to develop and grow.

Gareth Brocklehurst, Torbay Development Agency board member and chair of the Employment and Skills Board, said: “This event is a fantastic opportunity to showcase some of the superb local businesses we have in South Devon.

“These businesses are driven by talented people who can help to stimulate our local economy and foster improvements in shills, creating additional future employment.”

Gary Brenton, Personnel and Development Manager, for TLH Leisure Resorts, last year’s overall winner, and winner of the Large Employer award, says: “We found that entering the awards helped us to evaluate the impact that training and development had on our business and were able to look at the benefits it brought us.”

For sponsorship opportunities contact Debbie Passmore on 01803 208378 or email: deborah.passmore@tedcltd.com Or visit www.torbaydevelopmentagency.co.uk/skillsawards

Slipway delayed as ‘eco’ costs push project over budget

SOARING costs mean that South Hams District Council is now investigating replacing the decaying Kingswear and Dartmouth lower ferry slipways as well as building the new public higher slipway – in one continuous operation.

The idea would be to build them in close succession thus saving on the costs of contractors set up, site costs and plant mobilisation.

The idea has been floated by councillors eager to see the first public slipway completed this year after discovering that costs had escalated beyond the £400,000 set aside for the new higher ferry slipway project.

Tenders have come in much higher than anticipated and because the council has adopted an ecological policy, being rigidly applied by Natural England, of pledging to protect habitats – the area beneath the slipway is classed as soft estuary mud – the only viable option left to the council is to build on concrete piling, elevating the slipway off the foreshore of the river. Though this has added to the costs it will mean that the habitat will be comparatively undisturbed.

The knock on from this is that the higher slipway, which was hoped to be ready for the hosting of the J80 World Championships this summer, in Dartmouth, is now unlikely to be completed until this autumn at the earliest.  If all the slipways were replaced in one operation it might mean the higher slipway would not be completed until January 2013.

There will be a need to synchronise the work with the Higher Ferry schedules to ensure that the river crossing is kept open whilst the lower slips are being rebuilt.

South Hams Executive Member for Assets Cllr Bill Hitchins said: “I am disappointed that we have been unable to build the slipway we planned in the time scale we hoped. There may be some economies of scale to be had from putting both projects together.  We have the possibility of getting them for a more reasonable price.”

Because the fundamental design of the slipway has changed, new plans will have to be drawn up and run again through the planning process – and consultation begun again with Natural England.

Cllr Hitchins admitted to being rather disappointed at Natural England. He added: “Because of the issues raised by Natural England we have invited them to come down and view our proposals and see for themselves from the water what impact the new higher slipway might have. We are trying to be completely proactive on this and avoid discovering any last minute complications.”

South Hams Executive Member for Customer Services Councillor Hilary Bastone said: “This is extremely disappointing.  But looking on the positive side we are still looking to go ahead with the slipway albeit in a different form and hopefully our wishes will eventually come true.”   

South Hams Executive Member for Environment Services Cllr Jonathan Hawkins said: “We have been looking forward to this new slipway for many years.  It is a great shame that it has been delayed.”

Chillington affordable homes up for sale

FORTY homes, 22 of them affordable, are nearing completion on a housing development at Chillington, near Kingsbridge – with a possible further four in the pipeline awaiting planning consent.

The homes at Helmers Meadow, Main Road, Chillington are being built by Taylor Wimpey, 40 have been completed on time and the four additional homes, one off site, and the others, part of a possible three homes barn conversion, are still going through the planning process.

The 22 affordable homes are being provided by Tor Homes, part of the Devon and Cornwall Housing Group. None of the final four homes are shared ownership.

South Hams District Council worked hard to achieve a high percentage of affordable housing (50 per cent) on this development in line with its adopted Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document.  Funding in the region of £700,000 has been provided by the Homes and Communities Agency.  

Most of the affordable housing has now been allocated. However, there are four two bedroom apartments and one three bedroom house for shared ownership. Prices start from £49,500 for a 30 per cent share. Contact Devon & Cornwall sales team on 01752 856037 or email sales@dchgroup.com

Councillor Michael Saltern, Executive Member for Housing & Environmental Health, said:"The provision of affordable housing in ruralvillages is essential to those villages very survival. We very muchrecognised the need in Chillington andI amextremely pleased that we have enabled this development to come to fruition".

Councillor John Baverstock , ward member for Stokenham parish which includes the village of Chillington, said: “This development has been really welcomed in the village because I know that a number of local families have secured housing in the affordable homes. The developer has finished on time and that has been very welcome in a village the size of Chillington. Being such a major development it has caused considerable disruption”.

Note to Editors

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the single, national housing and regeneration delivery agency for England. Its vision is to create opportunity for people to live in homes they can afford in places they want to live, by enabling local authorities and communities to deliver the ambition they have for their own areas. For more information visit homesandcommunities.co.uk/newsevent

Devon & Cornwall Housing is more than just a landlord. They work with local communities across Cornwall and Devon, offering housing, support, regeneration, and encouraging community engagement. Devon & Cornwall Housing is made up of three main companies: Devon & Cornwall Housing (DCH) which leads the group, and delivers customer services through two subsidiary companies; Penwith Housing Association (PHA) and Tor Homes. As a collaborative, strong organisation they manage over 18,000 homes, being the largest landlord in the South West. They have built nearly 2,000 new homes over three years and are the region’s largest developer of affordable housing. With 700 staff working together across Devon and Cornwall, they are well-placed to work with our customers and stakeholders to carry on delivering much needed high-quality value-for-money services. They are regulated by the Tenant Services Authority (TSA), which is a government agency that sets out minimum standards for housing associations to achieve. For more detailed information about the work of all four companies visit: www.dchgroup.com, www.penwithha.org.uk, www.torhomes.com

Millie gets the best Christmas present of all – a new home

It’s not just Christmas that’s giving Millie Springer a twinkle in her eye! The ten-year-old, who suffers from severe cerebral palsy, is looking forward to spending the festivities in her brand new specially adapted home in Blackawton with mother Gina and brother Josh, 12.

The move is not only significant for Millie and her family, but it’s a great example of the public and private sector working together in double quick time to provide the new property for the family in just eight months.

The plight of the Springer family came to the attention of Hastoe Housing Association and South Hams District Council earlier this year.

The family had been living in a property owned by elderly relatives. But due to health issues, the relatives decided they wanted to sell up and downsize leaving Gina and the children to find a suitable new home.

At about the same time, Hastoe had started building work on five new affordable homes in Gina’s village at Blackawton. A chance phone call by Gina’s sister to Hastoe started the ball rolling.

As Gina had lived in the village for many years, she qualified for one of the homes in Cheavestone Terrace but as young Millie is a full time wheel chair user, the property needed to be extended and adapted to meet her needs.

In August, a meeting was held at the property plot with officers from South Hams District Council, the Council’s Executive Member for Housing Cllr Mike Saltern, ward councillor for the area Cllr John Tucker, Gina, Hastoe Housing Association, the architect Walker Newton and the builder, Coyde Construction.

Within weeks, building regulations were approved, planning permission was granted for the extension, funding for the extra work organised, and building work began.

South Hams District Council gave a £30,000 Disabled Facilities Grant towards the cost of the adaptation works, Hastoe approved a further £5,000 and covered the architects’ fees of £3,000, while Devon County Council awarded a grant of £7,000.

All rooms on the ground floor of the house are wheelchair accessible, with a ground floor bedroom for Millie complete with an en suite bathroom and wet room. The property also includes ceiling track hoists to help lift Millie.

The Springers moved in to their home earlier this month (December) and Gina said: “I’m so grateful to all those who have helped us. Everyone has shown true grit and determination to make this happen.

“It means so much to us. We can stay in the community we love where there are wonderful people around us who help us to look after Millie. Her carer Fern Coe lives in the village too. Millie loves her new home and is very excited about it. Josh is settling in well too and it’s giving him more independence as we’re closer to the bus stop.”

Hastoe Area Housing Manager, Martin Short, said: “We are delighted to have been able to help the Springer family when they needed it the most.

“They are fully deserving of their new home and it is great that we could complete the building work in time for them to move in for Christmas. We wish Gina, Millie and Josh all the best for the future, we are sure they will continue to be very happy.”

Cllr Tucker, who represents the area on South Hams District Council, said: “I’m delighted for Gina and her family. The village is very supportive of her. The whole project has been a wonderful example of the public and private sector working together for the good of this family who needed our help.”

Cllr Saltern added: “Trying to meet housing needs is seldom without difficulties but I have never been more touched than by seeing how everyone came together in such a short period of time to address Gina, Millie’s and Josh's needs.

“There was a real determination to succeed and there are so many people to thank for their commitment. I would particularly like to thank Hastoe Housing Association for working so closely with us and would also highlight the contribution of our own South Hams District Council technical officer Mark Nicol for all his co-ordination and input leading to the award of the Disabled Facilities Grant.

“On a personal note I would like to wish Gina, Millie, and Josh a very happy Christmas in their new home and everything they would wish for in the years ahead.”

South Hams District Council freezes car park charges until March 2013

Existing charges for all South Hams District Council car parks are being frozen for the next fifteen months.

The freeze comes as a result of the Council listening to the needs of local businesses and residents. It’s great news for the mix of shoppers, visitors, and workers who use these car parks.

The Council says it will strive to maintain the fairest deal possible for car park users despite the challenging economic climate.

Cllr Jonathan Hawkins, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for the Environment, confirmed that the car park fees will be held until March 2013. The decision was ratified by the Council on Thursday 15th December.

Cllr Hawkins said: “In these very difficult times, we are committed to do all we can to help our market towns and rural communities. By holding our charges, we hope that this will be of help to our local businesses and help our residents to continue to shop locally and support our traders. It will also help to boost our tourism economy too.

“Residents should also be aware that the Council offers great value parking permits which can be bought either weekly, monthly, or annually as a cheaper parking alternative.”

For example, the Council has a South Hams Residents’ Car Park Permit, available on proof of residency, which means you can park in any South Hams District Council car park for free between 4pm and 10am – and all for just an annual cost of £21.

Residents using the permit once-a-day throughout the year in any district council car park would be paying around 6p a day.

The permit also allows free parking for anyone who wants to beat the rush by shopping before 10am or after 4pm.

The permits are available by calling South Hams Customer Service on 01803 861234.

Business outlook for the UK and Local Economy

TOP business speakers will share their expert predictions on the way the future of the UK economy will shape up in a special meeting to be hosted by South Hams District Council at its Follaton House headquarters – open to the area’s businesses.

Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW), chairman Tim Jones will provide businesses with an outlook for the UK Economy and an update on the private sector led  Local Enterprise Partnerships drive for economic growth and regeneration for Devon & Somerset, whilst, Ian Courtney, Specialised Relationship Manager, Nat West Bank will provide an Outlook for the local economy at a special meeting planned by South Hams District Council.

The meeting will not only provide an opportunity to listen to some key speakers but it will also provide a chance for local businesses to air their views on the councils proposed spending plans for 2012/2013 and to discuss how the Council could support businesses in order to sustain the local economy.  

Lisa Buckle, Head of Finance and Audit, will present the Council's spending proposals whilst Marion Playle, Head of Planning, Economy & Community will facilitate the discussion on ‘How can the Council support businesses.’

Lisa Buckle says “This meeting is an opportunity for businesses to consult with the Council on its proposed spending proposals and to listen to some well informed speakers on the outlook for both the UK and local economy.

Richard Sheard, South Hams and West Devon Chief Executive, said: “We have been talking with businesses about the best way to keep you up to date on key business issues in the area. We want to develop a forum for you to have a voice to influence notonlySouth Hams District Councilbut Devon County Council but also the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership as well.

“We have launched a Business Voice e-newsletter which should be another great help in allowing you to give us your views. We would be keen to receive any feedback and in particular any comments on how we might improve this to give you a greater voice.”

The meeting is planned for Wednesday January 11 at Follaton House, Totnes, at 6.30pm.  Coffees with light refreshments available from 6pm.

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South Hams Council allowances take a small cut

South Hams District Councillors, whose allowances have been frozen for the last three years are taking a net cut of £120 a year in their allowances.

Overall the saving to the tax payer will amount to £1,700 a year despite an increase in the basic allowance from £4,080 to £4,300, ratified by the full council on Thursday. (December 15).

In voting for the increase the members decided to forego the electronic allowance, of £360, available to each member able to receive communication by email, which now outdated, was introduced nearly 10 years ago to encourage councillors’ IT adoption.

However, some of the senior members who receive multiples of up to three times the  basic allowance for special responsibilities will automatically receive a small amount more.

South Hams Council Leader Cllr John Tucker said: “The members have borne the brunt of increases in the cost of living for the last three years and now we are really lagging behind most of the other authorities for allowances nationally.  We needed to remove the electronic allowance, which we have now done and link allowances to the Consumer Price Index as we have agreed. However it doesn’t mean if the CPI goes up to seven or eight per cent we have to accept it.  We can agree a lower figure.”

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South Hams offer bargain 6p a day parking

IF you want a cheap way to shop first thing in the morning and last thing at night South Hams District Council have a parking permit for you for just £21 for a full year.

The permit, called the South Hams Residents’ Car Park Permit, available on proof of residency means you can park in any South Hams car park for free between 4pm and 10am.

And use the Dartmouth Park and Ride entirely free for the whole day – with free travel for as many people as you have in your car – thus avoiding the normal £5 charge.

Residents using the permit once a day throughout the year in any South Hams District Council car park would be paying around 6p a day. If a resident parked in a town centre car park an hour a day at (around 90p an hour) and went to Dartmouth four or five times that would be a total of £295 a year. The permit represents around a 90 per cent discount.

Cathy Aubertin, of South Hams Environment Services, said: “The idea of this permit is to allow anyone who wants to beat the rush by shopping before the peak times up to 10am and those working people who need to dash into town after 4pm to pick up something for supper can do so with ease and park for free.”

She added: “This is all part of trying to tailor our charges to suit the pockets of our working residents. As an example in the New Year we are extending these permits, only in Kingsbridge, for a limited period, from between 3pm and 11am to allow residents to park in those times for free in town car parks while Fore Street in Kingsbridge is undergoing road works.

“The permit was incredibly popular three years ago when it was introduced over 2,000 were sold,” she said.  “Now three years later they are still a bargain, at around 6p a day if you use them every day and you both live and work in South Hams.”

The permits are available by calling South Hams Customer Service on 01803 861234.

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Look before you book – Christmas food hygiene check alert

Christmas fare might easily be foul unless you check out the menu, and the food hygiene rating of your restaurant, hotel, or café as well.

Good food hygiene is getting easier to spot these days with the recent introduction of the National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme – often referred to as Scores on the Doors.

Restaurants, pubs, hotels, as well as cafes, takeaways and other places that sell or serve food, are now being rated from 0 - 5 on their hygiene standards when a food hygiene inspection is carried out by South Hams District Council.

A score of 5 shows food hygiene standards on the premises are “very good.” A 0 rating indicates “urgent improvement necessary”.

It’s easy to check out the ratings by looking them up online at: food.gov.uk/ratings.

But you might also spot the distinctive green and black stickers businesses are encouraged to display at their outlets to tell their customers the rating they were given.

South Hams Executive member for Environmental Health and Housing Councillor Mike Saltern, said: “The vast majority offood related businesses in the South Hams set excellent standards. This scheme undoubtedly provides the incentive for otherstoraise theirstandards and those businesses which have already done so are setting the marker for others to follow.”

Pete Wearden who leads South Hams’ food safety team said: “The scheme has been a great success and since we adopted it in April this year, there has been a lot of interest shown and many businesses not achieving the highest rating during our inspections have been keen to improve further.

“Over 90 per cent of businesses inspected so far have achieved a rating of ‘3’ and above and over half achieving the maximum rating of ‘5’. We seek to work closely with our businesses to assist them to meet legal standards and, in the minority of cases unfortunately, we take formal action so as to protect the consumer.”

Catriona Stewart, Head of the Food Hygiene Ratings Team at the FSA added: ‘The FHRS is all about putting the consumer first, supplying people with useful information on which to base their choice of where to eat.  

“The FSA is working in partnership with South Hams District Council and other local authorities to introduce this scheme nationally. It means that when you eat out - be it in the area you live or further away - you can easily compare hygiene standards of different food outlets”.

Recent research by the agency has shown that nearly 17 million people suffer from stomach upsets in the UK every year and many more instances go unreported. Nobody wants to have their Christmas festivities ruined and as far as food hygiene ratings go there’s safety in numbers - so it’s good to know.  

ENDS

South Hams backs scheme to reduce fuel poverty

A scheme subsidised by South Hams District Council could save thousands of households up to £400 per year on energy bills.

Around 7000 households in the South Hams have to spend more than 10% of their income on heating their homes. CosyDevon, an innovative scheme offering residents substantially discounted insulation, was launched to reduce heating costs.

The district council backs the scheme, which is led by energy company E.ON and charity Energy Action Devon. CosyDevon aims to tackle fuel poverty by making significant installation discounts available for home insulation. The scheme is open to homeowners and private tenants in order to reduce energy bills. In some cases residents may qualify for completely free installation - especially those on low incomes or who are in receipt of benefits.

Insulating the home improves home energy efficiency significantly and can save families up to £400 per year on energy bills. The work is carried out by local, accredited installers and it usually takes only a few hours.

More than 770 South Hams households have already taken advantage of the scheme, and Cllr Mike Saltern, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Environmental Health and Housing said: “I would encourage anyone who does not have an insulated home to take advantage of the CosyDevon scheme.

“The district council is keen to encourage schemes such as this, where commercial enterprises, communities and councils work to a common purpose – in this case it’s getting homes insulated at low cost to reduce energy wastage and make heating bills more manageable for our residents.”

Jon Kirby, of E.ON, said: “We’ve been partners in Cosy Devon for a number of years now and I’m delighted we’re able to continue helping with this really successful scheme. We’re committed to getting homes energy fit – reducing energy use and cutting bills – and this is a great example of councils, communities and companies getting together to help people save money and reduce our effect on the planet.

“By tackling whole communities in such a way we can really start to make a difference and build energy efficiency into our everyday lives.”

To find out more or arrange a free, no obligation survey call the Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512012 and ask about CosyDevon or visit the CosyDevon website at www.cosydevon.co.uk.

Please direct media enquiries to South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

New slipway site free of Tentacled Lagoon-worm

MARINE surveyors charged with searching the bed of the River Dart for the protected five millimetre Tentacled Lagoon-worm have found no sign of its existence in the area below where engineers are seeking to build the first public slipway in Dartmouth for 50 years.

In a report prepared by Marine Ecologists Paul Gregory and Melanie Pritchard they said: “The tentacled lagoon-worm was absent from the site and the habitat was unsuitable for this species.  It prefers more sheltered conditions with reduced salinity and mud shores.  This habitat occurs further up in the backwaters of the Dartmouth estuary.”

The survey, which had to be carried out as part of the Environmental Impact Survey for the planning application for the scheme, which has now be lodged, has also recommended mitigation measures, using straw bales, to protect other existing species on the river bed during the construction programme.

“There will be a nIet loss of mudflat habitats as part of the development,” says the report. “But the loss of the species-poor nature of the habitat is considered not significant.”

The tentacled lagoon-worm is protected under Scheduled 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The proposal is to build a new launching slipway, alongside the Higher Ferry slipway,  to make it easier for both the RNLI to launch its inshore lifeboat and local boat owners and the town’s rowing club to get their craft in the water without danger from the ferry cables.

The work has been made necessary since the old slipway is narrow and does not have a kerb to stop trailers or vehicles slipping over the edge. Also in certain tidal conditions there was the potential for the wire hawsers guiding the higher ferry to conflict with the slipway.

South Hams Senior Planning Officer Ed Brown said  he will be “taking advice” from the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Estuaries Officer of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to see what mitigation measures might still be needed.

Plans are for a rough rock area between the two slipway which could help restore areas of habitat for the river species temporarily dislodged during the construction. A wooden capping for the steel sheet piling edge of the slipways has been been called for to provide even more nooks and crannies for estuary life and a soft buffer for boats nosing into the slipway to make a landing.  

Tracy Windemer, South Hams Engineering Manager, in charge of the project said: “There were 12  core samples taken and analysed in the laboratories and there was no indications of the Tentacled Lagoon-worm at all. It is not an ideal location for them.”

The next step to submit a planning application had been carried out, she said, which because it was for the authority itself had to be dealt with at the full Development Management Committee, rather than under delegated powers.

The council has appointed a Plymouth based, multi-disciplinary Engineering Consultants URS Scott Wilson Ltd to design a the new slipway and the council asked the public for their views following a display in the Dartmouth Guildhall.

The new slipway will have high-spec bitumen surface, and be sheet piled and in-filled to provide an expected 50 year lifespan.

It is hoped that the work, which is likely to take 10 weeks, will be completed before the boating season begins.

Councillor Hilary Bastone, South Hams District Council member for Dartmouth and Kingswear said: “I have been fighting for this slipway for 20 years.  Now that we have cleared this hurdle with the Tentacled Lagoon Worm I am hoping that we will be ready to start work in the New Year and have the new slip ready for the boating season.”

South Hams Council give Sherford the Green Light

SOUTH Hams District Councillors today voted by 15 votes to 7 to give the green light to a new town of 5,500 homes planned for the outskirts of Plymouth.

Plans for Sherford new town, to the east of the city,  were first launched over 15 years ago. The developer Red Tree  has submitted its plans and sought agreement to provide 550 affordable homes during the first half of the development.

South Hams District Council’s Development Committee, has given outline planning permission decided in a requested recorded vote to approve the go-ahead of plans subject to agreement by partners Plymouth City Council.

The planning application straddles land in by both council areas.

The Sherford project  will include two wind turbines and business and commercial space. It will also have a Town Hall, public library, green spaces, be bus and bike friendly, have three new primary schools and one new secondary school, health care facilities, park and ride interchange, and community park.

No firm start date is yet available, as detailed plans are still  to be confirmed,  but hopes are that unlike in 2008 when initial outline planning was granted and then thwarted by a downturn in the economy, that there would be an earlier rather than later start.

This is the full report recommendation that the members voted on today:

RECOMMENDATION

A. That members resolve to grant outline planning permission subject to the following:

1. Completion of a joint authority S106 Agreement subject to resolving matters as set out in this report and appendices.

2. Plymouth City Council resolving to approve the corresponding application within its boundary.

3. The Highways Agency lifting its current Direction to enable the consent to be issued once the Agency is satisfied that there is no significant adverse impact on the A38 and the imposition of any planning conditions proposed by the Agency.

4. The planning conditions as outlined in Appendix 10, together with any proposed by the Highways Agency in response to the withdrawal of the Direction of refusal.

B. That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning, Economy and Community to issue the permission in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Development Management Committee. Such delegated authority shall provide for any appropriate minor modification of the S106 obligation and planning conditions which maintains the principles outlined in this report. Officers also being satisfied that an appropriate agreement has been reached between the developer and Western Power regarding the undergrounding of the power lines.

Tentacled Lagoon Worm probe on new slipway site

AN environmental survey to help to protect the rare Tentacled  Lagoon Worm, which is less than five millimetres long,  is being carried out by engineers wanting to build the first public slipway in Dartmouth for 50 years.

Proposals to build a new launching slipway, alongside the Higher Ferry slipway,  to make it easier for both the RNLI to launch its inshore lifeboat and local boat owners and the town’s rowing club to get their craft in the water without danger from the ferry cables are now hanging on an environmental survey of the river bed.

Low spring tides have been awaited in order for experts to check the area alongside the existing slipway where the new one is being planned.  The environmental assessment is being carried out at the moment (from December 5 onwards) to see whether the Tentacled Lagoon Worm (Alkmaria romijni) a protected species does inhabit sediment in that part of the estuary. It is protected under Scheduled 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The work has been made necessary since the old slipway is narrow and does not have a kerb to stop trailers or vehicles slipping over the edge. Also in certain tidal conditions there was the potential for the wire hawsers guiding the higher ferry to conflict with the slipway.

South Hams Senior Planning Officer Ed Brown said: “As part of the planning application we need to know what effect we may have on the bed of the river where the new slipway is going to be constructed. We have to satisfy ourselves that there will be no damaged to the ecology of the river. As this is part of the application we commissioned an ecological assessment. It will investigate all the ecological implications and see if the Tentacled  Lagoon Worm is present – and suggest appropriate mitigation if required.”

Mr Brown says he will be “taking advice” from the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Estuaries Officer of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which the slipway plans fall inside.

He added: “We have had sites in the past like this where we have been able to agree mitigating measures that would allow the development to go ahead, but we will just have to wait and see if there are any of these worms in the river there. We understand that they are found more on the Kingswear side of the estuary.”

The council has appointed a Plymouth based, multi-disciplinary Engineering Consultants URS Scott Wilson Ltd to design a the new slipway and the council asked the public for their views following a display in the Dartmouth  Guildhall.

The new slipway will have high-spec bitumen surface, and be sheet piled and in-filled to provide an expected 50 year lifespan.

It is hoped that the work, which is likely to take 10 weeks, will be completed before the boating season begins.

Councillor Hilary Bastone, South Hams District Council member for Dartmouth and Kingswear said: “I have been fighting for this slipway for 20 years, but this is just one of the hoops we have to go through.”

“We’ll battle on for Coastguard Station,” says councillor

THE South Hams District Councillor, at the centre of the battle to save Brixham Coastguard Station from closure, has vowed to fight on despite the final closure decision by the Minister of Transport recently.

Councillor Hilary Bastone, who has twice received unanimous support from fellow councillors for motions calling on the Minister for Transport to reverse his decision to close Brixham Coastguard Station, intends to battle on to have it debated in the House of Commons.

Cllr Bastone said: “We need every resident in this area to log on to the website www.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/4403  and vote to save the station. If we can get 100,000 signatures, by August 7, 2012 we can win a debate in the House of Commons”.

Following the announcement he said: "Withdrawing the service from Brixham means that we will lose that personal knowledge that the coastguards have of our coastline. This fight is not about jobs, it's not about Brixham, it's not even about funding — it's about lives.

"Over 70% of incidents co-ordinated by HM Coastguard last year were inshore, within 12 nautical miles of the U.K. coastline and including beaches, cliffs, coastal paths, rivers and estuaries.

He added: "MRCC Brixham is actually the third busiest Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre for UK Search and Rescue where people were rescued or assisted.

"Last year Brixham assisted 1918 people and without that intervention some of these individuals could have become fatalities.

"From  January 1 to  September 27 2011, MRCC Brixham have co-ordinated 1,227 incidents of which 276 were at night between 19.00 to 07.00, this means a percentage of 22.5% were at night.

Cllr Bastone added: "Although the night time incidents are between a fifth or a quarter of total incidents for the station, do not disregard these figures because many of these were life threatening incidents including cliff rescues, searches for vessels and searches for High Risk Suicidal Missing People, the rescue of whom is made so much harder in the dark at sea and on coastal terrain.

"We now need ask as many people as possible to sign up to the petition on the Government web site to have the matter debated in the House of Commons. We require 100,000 signatures by August 7 2012. Just log into www.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/4403 to sign."

South Hams needs your Midas touch

IF you have a proven skill at controlling the family budget and are the type to be creative in managing your money then South Hams District Council would like you to apply your Midas  touch in helping them balance their budget – and direct their resources wisely.

You are being invited to share your ideas at a special “Meeting the Budget Challenge” on December 5, between 5pm and 7pm at the council’s offices at Follaton House, Totnes, TQ9 5NE, to get involved in shaping the council’s budget and influence where it focuses its resources.

All are welcome.

Cllr John Tucker, leader of South Hams District Council, said: “These are difficult times for everyone and we want to make sure we make the right decisions about where we spend your money and would encourage everyone to get involved and have their say.

“This council is facing  harsher budget pressures this year – just like everyone else.”

Cllr Tucker added: “We need to reduce our budget by £400,000 and we want the public to be more involved in shaping where we spend our limited resources in their local area.  As budgets are reduced, we need to ensure we are focussing on delivering services that meet the needs of local communities.

“To help us make the right decisions about the budget we want the public to get involved in telling us what is important in their local area and how we can be more effective with our resources.”

The sessions will be interactive and will explain to people the challenges the council faces before getting them involved in sharing their thoughts.  

An online version of the survey is available on www.southhams.gov.uk/budgetconsultation and the council encourages as many people as possible to complete the survey.

Council enlists Bulldog Tipper in fly-tipping probe

South Hams District Council has enlisted the help of a two foot high British Bulldog in its battle to find who fly-tipped a builder’s bag full of rubbish on the road from Modbury to Bigbury near Hunts Cross.

The Bulldog has been nicknamed Tipper by the Council’s Enforcement Officers from the Environmental Services Department who were surprised to find  him ‘asleep’ in the bag of rubbish but otherwise safe and well.

Now they want to put him to work to track down the culprits who left him with a bed of heating blocks to lay on from an old night storage radiator and asbestos insulation for a quilt.

Clive Mackriell who is investigating the case said “It was a cold night and Tipper, who was dressed only in his Union flag jumper, had built a little kennel out of heating fire bricks and was found nicely wrapped up in asbestos insulation, protected from the wind by a big white builder’s dumpy bag. He could only say that his owners had apparently paid a man lots of money to take him to a new home but he had then been dumped in the countryside”.

Jonathan Hawkins,  County Councillor and South Hams Executive Member for Environmental Services, said: “We are rather hoping that Tipper’s British Bulldog spirit will prevail in tracking down his previous owner since this act of illegal tipping is a far cry from the spirit in which he was created.  Spoiling the country side with such litter is a serious offence  - and an unnecessary drain on council resources for all of us.”

Anyone who knows Tipper or where he used to live is asked to contact the Council on 01803 861234 or on the confidential 24hr hotline 01803 861262.

Chairman pays tribute to Councillor David Thorning

The Chairman of South Hams District Council, Councillor Rufus Gilbert and members were sad to hear the news of the recent death of one of their Honorary Aldermen, Councillor David Thorning, who passed away peacefully in Derriford Hospital. He was 87.

Councillor Thorning, who lived in Kingsbridge, spent most of his life in service to the community. He was a member of South Hams District Council between 1991 – 1999 and returned in 2003 – 2007. During this period he sat on several committees including Planning, Leisure and Recreation and he was also Chairman of the Salcombe Harbour Board.

In 1996 David became Vice Chairman of South Hams District Council and went on to be Chairman the following year. In 2008 he was appointed Honorary Aldermen at a special council meeting. He continued to work for the good of the South Hams after leaving the council, notably supporting the work of Help the Aged in Kingsbridge.

Prior to joining South Hams District Council he was a head teacher to a large comprehensive school, served on Kingsbridge Town Council and was Mayor on five separate occasions in 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995 and 1996.

Councillor Rufus Gilbert said: “I know my fellow members wish to join me in sending their condolences to Councillor Thorning’s family at this sad time. David worked tirelessly for the District and the town of Kingsbridge during his many years in office, which is greatly appreciated by South Hams District Council”.

South Hams Council’s plea to 282 empty home owners

OVER 280 empty homes have been identified in South Hams District Council’s area that could provide a major boost in affordable homes for the residents.

As the market hardens and money becomes tighter the Council have found increasing difficulties in finding two and three bed homes to let to families in need.

In 2010 the Empty Homes Strategy identified a potential 612 vacant homes, since then the Council has implemented a range of initiatives and reduced the figure down to 282 homes. Reducing the number further is a challenge and the Council is looking to residents and business for help.

South Hams District Councillor Mike Saltern, Executive Member for Environment, Health and Housing, said: “With over 2300 people requiring homes in the South Hams it is almost incredulous that homes can remain empty for long periods of time and add to the destruction of rural life.

“By proactively encouraging owners to come forward and work with us through our Direct Lets scheme we hope to make a real positive difference and give people some hope for their future”.

South Hams Divisional Environmental Health Officer Drew Powell, who heads up the Private Sector Housing Services, said: “We would like to talk to anyone who owns or has an interest in an empty home. We can provide a great deal of support in bringing the home back into use, up to lettable standards and even provide funding to help the process.

“These empty homes are a wasted housing resource and a wasted source of income for the owner. Increasing the effective housing stock by bringing empty homes into use frees up other homes to meet housing demand. It is all about balancing the housing market.”

The Direct Lets staff, who act as a private-style lettings agency within the council, are finding it increasingly difficult in their battle to find landlords willing to accept lower rents in exchange for a “stable and managed” one to five year agreement.

Wendy Rawlings, South Hams Private Sector Accommodation Officer, said: “Before April of this year the phone was ringing off the hook with landlords wanting us to take on and handle their properties.

“But after April the phones just stopped ringing. And now it is just a trickle. We had so many at one point we had to limit it to 20 properties now we have taken the cap off we find there are not the landlords who seem to be willing to take that drop in rents to make them attainable to those needing affordable housing,” she says.

Following Government changes housing allowance benefit rates have dropped from 50% down to 30%. If you take as an example an average two bed-roomed property in Totnes which commands on average a rent of £600 per calendar month, this means the allowance would be £530 and the tenant would have to make up the difference of £70. “The tenant would have to find that and at those rates it is unaffordable,” says Wendy.

“We have to make these houses affordable to the residents,” she said. “We offer an even fuller lettings agency service than local private letting agencies and at fees of nine per cent instead of 12% cent or 15% commercially – and we have the full resources of the council behind us.

“We are looking for someone who might be new to letting, they may have just been left a home in a will or just not wish to manage the letting for themselves. We provide a full service and will even arrange grants for suitable empty homes needing attention and bring them back up to standard. At the end of five years they have a house restored to lettable standard and can either let it themselves or agree to it being subject of a new one to five year agreement.”

Wendy added: “We are working in conjunction with the Empty Homes department in order to try to bring these properties back in use as affordable homes which are becoming increasingly hard to find in this area. People are really desperately seeking a roof over their head and a place to put down roots.”

She added: “My team here bend over backwards to make sure that there are no hiccoughs in the lettings. We keep a good eye on these properties and we make sure they are very successful tenancies. This is a win/win situation for landlord and tenant.”

Any landlords wishing to discuss the Direct Lets opportunity should call Wendy Rawlings on:

01803 861259.

Roundabout way to brighten Totnes gateway!

FIVE “vertically challenged” blue statues, called Grumpy and Dopey, now stand guard at the main gateway to Totnes and the South Hams – thanks to the benevolence of China Blue managing director Vernon Gay and the muscle of South Hams District Council garden staff Mark Capper, Dave Birds and Lajhan Chaprone.  

The main roundabout, at Coronation Road, was not thought to provide the prestige look that would impress the 27,000 drivers a day that pass the roundabout on their way into the South Hams after being neglected following recent cutbacks.

But after an appeal to the council by the recently formed Totnes in Bloom Group an approached was made to Mr Gay who put up £5,500 to have all the old vegetation and rubble ripped out and replaced with 300 bulbs and shrubs. Ancient river boulders, discovered when Ivybridge playing field was rebuilt, make it into an attractive feature, now with the chevrons signs made smaller.

Why Grumpy and Dopey? Mr Gay said: “Totnes has been voted the third wackiest town in England by British Airways – so I thought we should live up to our reputation and have some Disney figures living on the roundabout – coloured blue of course. But if we are being politically correct we can no longer call them d…. we are going to settle on gnomes.”

He added: “It is a great improvement and a wonderful job by Mark, Dave and Lajhan. Now Totnes has a gateway fitting to the South Hams”.

The four day job meant traffic management closing one central lane around the roundabout from 9.30am to 4pm to allow the boulders some weighing one and half tons, four tons of top soil and 15 tons of slate to be offloaded, most by hand, onto a membrane to inhibit weed growth. Said Mark: “When we were planning to put the slate down it was the day of the highest rainfall in the area –  perfect for the  300 new plants and bulbs the council provided, but we started out being Dopey and ended up Grumpy!”  

South Hams portfolio holder for Environment and County Councillor Jonathan Hawkins, said: “We are really grateful to Vernon Gay for his generosity in donating this money to provide a new gateway to Totnes. It has given a great lift to the town and area.”

Rob Harkness, Greenspace Manager, said: “This is an outstanding example of public, private and community bodies working together to improve the Totnes environment”.    

Council set to provide 100 homes a year

SOUTH Hams District Council, which has just received national recognitionfor itscommitment to providing rural affordable homes is set to see the level of homes provided increase to over 100 a year.

Up to now the availability of land for affordable housing has limited the number of affordable homes being built, but  with new schemes like the Village Housing Initiativeand approved Development Plan Documents beginning to take effect, provision is expected to leap from an average of around 60 a year to over 100.

A certificate from the National Housing Federation to recognise the Council’s commitment was presented to Cllr Mike Saltern, South Hams Executive Member for Environment, Health and Housing following  the official opening of 17 new affordable homes in Malborough by Totnes MP Dr Sarah Wollaston last week (November 11).

The £1.2million development on allotment land gifted by South Hams Council has proved a real community effort between local farmers Graham and Jo Hocking, Hastoe Housing Association Ltd, the Homes and Community (HCA) the parish and county councils.

Cllr Saltern in receiving the signed certificate from Simon Nunn, Assistant Director, Regions, NHF, said: "I am deeply honoured to receive this certificate from the National Housing Federation as it recognises South Hams District Council'slong standingcommitment to rural housing.

“In accepting this recognition I would like to pay tribute to all the South Hams staff who havededicated themselves, often against considerable odds in the current economic climate,to be innovative and forward thinking in pursuance of the council'sobjectives of helping to keep our villages alive and sustainable by providing much needed homes.

“I must also thank my fellow members of South Hams District Council right across the political spectrum who have always shown the highest commitment and support for affordable rural housing.”

He added: “The National Housing Federation is an excellent organisation undertaking a crucial role in creating awareness of the issues, lobbying national Government and providing a lot of encouragement and support to Local Housing Authorities. I thank them deeply not only for this award but for all the work they do in this region and indeed nationally”.

New bridges over troubled water link …

DARTMOUTH Town Jetty is to get two new bridges at a cost of £310,000 to provide  better access to the dock side and to make it easier to carry out future repairs without disrupting ferry, pleasure boat passengers and yachtsmen.

The bridges, to run alongside each other, will occupy the same footprint as the existing bridge, installed 25 years ago when the embankment was extended and  now heavily rusted.  They will be very similar to the one installed over in Kingswear a few years ago for the foot-ferry passengers.

Work will start on the week-long project on November 28. The existing bridge will be removed using a crane barge and the two new bridges dropped in place to sit on a new pontoon linked to the Dart Harbour Navigation Authority’s pontoons that make up the town jetty.

There will also be a new passenger shelter, new lighting, electrical and water services for the mooring berths and new access ramps to the bridges at either end.

The bridges, of a much lighter steel construction, are currently being fabricated off site and will be brought  in by barge.

“They proved only slightly more expensive than refurbishing the old bridge which would have meant access to the pontoons would have been unavailable for up to eight weeks,” said South Hams Property Services Manager Trevor Finch. “This way the link is only out of action for one week.”

The access bridge will be closed from Monday 28 November to Friday 2 December.

Council officials have timetabled the work during higher tides to allow the Passenger Ferry and RiverLink craft  to dock alongside the embankment at Hospital Steps. Access to and from the pontoons for the berth holders will be provided by a water taxi service.

The council awarded the contract to Teignmouth Maritime Services from Dawlish and URS Scott Wilson from Plymouth are the consultant engineers for the project.

South Hams District Councillor Bill Hitchins, Executive Member for Assets, said: “This bridge is one of the most important for Dartmouth – it is the gateway to the town for those arriving by water on foot from Kingswear or by pleasure craft. To have the bridge out of action at any time would be a blow financially to the port.  That is why we have gone for two bridges either of which can be taken out of service for repairs without disruption to passengers in the future.”

South Hams Connect sets up shop in Sainsbury’s

South Hams residents will be able to pick up much more than their weekly shopping at Sainsbury’s supermarket at Dartmouth on Wednesday – a whole bagful of advice on all manner of public services, including volunteering, and their water bills.

Connect drop-in advice service is setting up its stall in the store on Wednesday November 16 between 10.30am and 1pm – with an advisor from South West Water  who will answer any queries or concerns about their services, including water and sewerage supplies, accounts, metering, water conservation or general enquiries.  Plus the opportunity to take home various freebie items such as, fat traps, plate scrapers, Hippos and Save-a-flushes (domestic cistern devices both designed to save water).

In addition there will be South Hams Customer Service advisors to highlight volunteering opportunities with South Hams CVS and the range of support services they provide and advice on charity regulations.

The Connect service of roving advisors was first rolled out in West Devon Borough Council area four and a half years ago. Since 2007 West Devon Borough Council and South Hams District Council have been working towards sharing their services.  Now the service has been extended to South Hams.

Claire Wager, South Hams Connect Co-ordinator, who organises the South Hams Connect programme of events, said: “Pop in and pick up more than you expected from your local store. Everyone is welcome.”

Councillor Hilary Bastone, a South Hams member for Dartmouth and Kingswear said: “The South Hams Connect drop-in service offers a great opportunity to clear up any queries you might have over our services. It is a great first point of call for all public services  – this time with a South West Water specialist being on hand.”

South Hams signals SOS to Whitehall on Coastguard Station

THREE near fatalities happening within minutes of each other at Dartmouth Royal Regatta served to underline the “grave concerns” shared by officials all along the South Devon Coast at  Coalition Government’s plans to close Brixham Coastguard Station in three years time.

In an impassioned plea to South Hams District Council last week, the second this year, Dartmouth Councillor Hilary Bastone, also regatta chairman, received unanimous backing from members for the council to write to the Secretary of State for Transport saying that cost savings could not justify the increased risks to residents should Brixham station close.

Cllr Bastone, in proposing the motion to write again to the the Secretary of State for Transport, seconded by Cllr John Carter, said: “We have three years to save the station.  This fight is not about jobs, it’s not about Brixham, it’s not even about funding – it’s about lives.”

He said it was all our “lives” – dog walkers, kite surfers, kayakers, sailors, rowers, fishermen and many more – all being protected by the station that coordinated rescues along  650 miles of coastline from Fowey to Exmouth.

He added: “During the regatta there were three major incidents and they all occurred at the same time. A sky diver missed his target and landed in the sea outside the harbour.  A disabled sailor capsized and his vessel which did not self right left him strapped in underwater; and a sailor who was knocked overboard by a boom.

“Brixham coastguard co-ordinated the rescues, which involved the Harbour Authority, RNLI, auxiliary coastguard, ambulances, helicopters, and police.  All were rescued, but one was flown to Torbay Hospital the other to Derriford.”

He added: “These incidents brought home to us the real importance of Brixham Coastguard Station because lives were saved that day.  Just ask the disabled sailor.”

Cllr Bastone urged everyone to sign the petition against closure on the Government’s web site:  epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/4403  - 100,000 signatures were needed by August 7.

The letter states: “The Council along with the three local MPs, Dr Sarah Wollaston, Adrian Sanders and Sheryll Murray continue to have grave concerns about the proposal to close the Maritime Co-ordination Centre  at Brixham.”

It points out that Brixham is the third busiest station in the UK , assisting 1,918 people, some of whom would have become fatalities. And that 70 per cent of incidents were inshore within twelve nautical miles of the UK.

Olympic Torch Relay is coming to the South Hams

The Olympic Flame – the glowing symbol of the greatest show on earth - will be coming to the South Hams next year en route to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

On July 27, 2012, the eyes of the world will be on London for the Opening Ceremony where the Olympic Flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium for the lighting of the cauldron to signify the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games. In the build up to the start of the event, the Olympic Flame will make its journey from Greece and arrive in the UK on May 18, ready for the Olympic Torch Relay to begin the following day.

Representing peace, unity and friendship, the Flame will start its 70-day journey around the UK towards the Stadium. The Flame will be carried the distance by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers, who will be announced later this year.

The Olympic Torch Relay will arrive in the South Hams on the morning of Sunday May 20.  

Travelling through Brixton, Yealmpton, Modbury, Kingsbridge, West Charleton, Chillington, Torcross, Stoke Fleming, Dartmouth and Totnes, these locations will host the Olympic Flame on behalf of surrounding communities. Full details of the Relay will be announced closer to the time, inviting people from across the area to welcome the Olympic Flame.

Cllr John Tucker, Leader of South Hams District Council said: “This is a unique opportunity for the residents of the South Hams to be involved in an historic event of this sort. The council is thrilled that the Torchbearers will be bringing the flame through ten of our communities and that so many of our residents will get the chance to turn out and welcome it to their area.

“The eyes of the nation will be on us on May 20 and I hope very much that our communities get involved in celebrating our area to mark the Olympic torch relay.”  

South Hams District Council will be liaising with many different community organisations across the district and encouraging them to get involved with this once-in-a-life time event by holding events and dressing their villages and towns with bunting along the route show their support for members of the local communities who have been selected to carry the Olympic Flame.

The council is also working closely with Devon County Council, Devon Highways and the London 2012 Organising Committee on the final details of the day.

For more information, email the council at games2012@swdevon.gov.uk

Malborough ‘affordable’ homes - tribute to community teamwork

A 100 % affordable housing development costing £2 million is now providing much needed new homes for people with a local connection to Malborough.

“Great Park” has been developed ona former allotment site in Malborough near Kingsbridge, altogether there are 17 new homes -five three-bedroomed, 10 two bedrooms and two single-bedroom properties.

The work began back in March 2007 when Malborough Parish Council worked together with South Hamsand the Rural Housing Enabler, independent specialists who work with the Community Council of Devon, to establish the level of need for affordable housing in Malborough and help to find a suitable site.

The South Hams-owned land was a well-used allotment site but was replaced thanks to the generosity of local farmers Graham and Jo Hocking, and the new allotments are now well established on their land which is next to the new housing.

The original allotment land was then gifted by South Hams District Council and together with an investment of more than £1.2 million from the Homes and Community Agency (HCA) and additional funding from Hastoe Housing Association has enabled the scheme to be delivered and this development emphasises the commitment of all the partners to provide affordable homes for local people.

Cllr Michael Saltern, Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health, said: "Provision of quality homes for local people is key to the sustainability of our rural villages. We are immensely proud of this excellent development which has only been able to be achieved with the commitment and supportof the local Parish Council and the rural development expertise of Hastoe Housing Association.

“It is a real pleasure to work in partnership with organisations that share the same aims,values and objectives as ourselves.I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the residents every possible happiness in their new homes".

Want to get more involved in planning for the South Hams? Tell us how!

A blueprint setting out how South Hams District Council will be involving the community in making plans about future development in the area has been published for consultation.

The new draft Statement of Community Involvement, prepared jointly with West Devon Borough Council, sets out how the authority will involve the community in preparing plans for future development and processing planning applications.

Over the last few months, the Council has been gathering views and ideas from local people about how they want to be involved. This has included asking for responses to a questionnaire and holding workshops for community groups and organisations.

The consultation document is available for people to comment on for six weeks until Friday December 16. All comments received will help shape the final document which will then be used as the basis for involving local communities in planning in the future.

Cllr John Carter, South Hams District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning, Economy and Community, said: “Local people are often the best source of information about their local area and better decisions can be made by tapping into this wealth of knowledge.

“We have talked to many community groups and organisations and our activities so far have helped us to write this draft document. Our aim is to make it easier for our residents to be involved in shaping plans and influencing planning decisions in their local area. This consultation is an opportunity for everyone to share their views and send us their ideas about how to get involved in planning in the future.”

The draft Statement of Community Involvement can be viewed at:

• South Hams District Council’s office at Follaton House, Totnes.
• Libraries across the district,
• Or by clicking on to www.southhams.gov.uk

Comments should be sent by Friday December 16 to:

• strategic.planning@swdevon.gov.uk
• Or by post to Strategic Planning, Kilworthy Park, Tavistock, PL19 0BZ

Have your say on Sherford document

A key document has been advertised by South Hams District Council concerning an outline planning application for a large development at Sherford on the outskirts of the district.

South Hams District Council is consulting with the public on the draft document produced by the developers Red Tree which relates to essential amenities and infrastructure that Red Tree has indicated it would be prepared to undertake.

Known as a Section 106Deed, the draft document is now open to the public for full scrutiny. The document is only a draft and has not been agreed by the Council.

A spokesman for South Hams District Council said: We are currently reviewing the draft Section 106 document submitted by Red Tree and we have placed this information on our website so that the public can give their views on this issue.

The public has the opportunity to see the document and comment on it by Monday November 7 and we will take these views into account as part of our assessment. Once this is completed, the Council will formally consider the proposal at a meeting currently scheduled for Wednesday December 7. The proposal will also need to be considered by Plymouth City Council.

If outline planning permission is granted, the applicant will be required to provide detailed information in support of the outline application, achieve a number of other consents andsatisfy a range of conditionsand obligations before development could commence.”

As well as on the South Hams District Council website at www.southhams.gov.uk, copies of the draft Section 106 Deed are also available to view at the Council’s offices at Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, during normal office hours, Monday to Friday.

Comments or representations on the draft documents should be sent to Development Management, South Hams District Council, Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes TQ9 5NE, or by email to development.management@southhams.gov.uk quoting reference 7_49/2426/06/O.

The consultation closes on Monday November 7. Please remember to provide your name and address. Please note that representations cannot be treated as confidential, and will be made available for public inspection on the Council's website.

Plymouth City Council will also be making this document available for public comment.  Please respond to only one of the councils as your comments on these matters will be shared with the other.

Survey calls for the Midas touch …

BUSINESSES in South Hams now have a golden opportunity to tell the District Council and Devon Renaissance (DR) what makes them tick, how we can help them in future and provide a steer on attracting funding to allow this to happen.

Our surveys in the last six years have helped to bring over £4 million of funding into the area for projects that have included hundreds of free or subsidised training opportunities, provided IT equipment and advice, and provided funding directly to businesses to fulfil growth plans and to find suitable new premises.

In this new survey we are keen to hear from all types of businesses. From new businesses that may not even be established yet to larger businesses that have been trading for many years, and everything in between. We hope to understand what issues businesses are facing at the moment, and what help might be useful to address these issues. We are also particularly interested to learn about the premises that businesses currently work from and if they are thinking of either relocating, adapting or expanding existing premises.

Cllr Michael Hicks, Deputy Leader of South Hams District Council said: Business needs to understand that if we are to help them – particularly in this difficult financial period -  surveys like this are key to unlocking any aid we might be able to provide in the area. It takes the guesswork out of providing the right facilities to allow firms to thrive and survive. We can’t emphasise strongly enough how important this survey is to all of us.”

Liz Abell of DR said: We would like to encourage as many businesses as possible to respond so that we have a good understanding of the needs of all businesses in this part of Devon. We have designed the survey to be really user friendly and quick to complete and so we hope that people will take part to help us to help them.”

DR is carrying out the survey on line at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Devonbusiness  It takes less than 10 minutes to complete. If you do not have internet access just call the team on 01837 658643 to go through the questions over the phone.

Waste carrier fined for fly tipping

An unlicensed waste carrier from Plymouth has been sentenced at Torquay Magistrates Court for offences relating to the fly tipping of household waste at Ivybridge.

During the evening of February 9 2011, 25 year old Jake Benning from Boscawen Place, Plymouth, drove his Ford Transit tipper to an isolated location near Lee Mill and fly tipped a full load of broken household furniture and other waste.

The act was seen by a passer by who took the vehicle registration number. Just days later he was stopped by the police when he was again carrying waste.

An investigator from South Hams District Council traced the waste to a Plymouth address where the householder had paid £80 for the rubbish to be properly disposed of.

Benning pleaded guilty to depositing waste on land with no Environmental Permit contrary to S33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, failing to produce a waste transfer note contrary to S34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and transporting waste when not registered to do so with the Environment Agency, contrary to S1 Control of Pollution Act1989.

Benning was ordered to carry out 150 hours of Community Service and to pay costs of £500.

After the hearing, a spokesman for South Hams District Council said: "The Council continues to hold a zero tolerance policy on fly tipping. We live in a beautiful part of the country and will do everything in our power to keep the South Hams clear of fly tipping and to pursue those responsible for damaging the environment and placing the burden of clearing up their mess on the tax payer”.

The spokesman added: “Commercial traders and householders are once again warned to ensure that any waste they dispose of is only passed to a properly licensed waste carrier who should be able to show a registration card or certificate.

“It is advisable to make note of any names, phone numbers and vehicle registration numbers and to ask for a receipt. The householder in this case was not prosecuted because she was able to assist in the identification of Benning”.

Get well Connected at Sainsburys Dartmouth

When you pick up your groceries at Sainsburys in Dartmouth on Wednesday October 19 there will be more on offer than just bargains you will be able to become well Connected too.

Advisors from South Hams Volunteer Centre (SHVC) will be joining Customer Service Advisors from

South Hams District Council attending a Connect drop in session from 10.30am to 1pm. They will highlight volunteering opportunities in and around the town.
The volunteer centre provides help and funding advice, group development and help with finding volunteers and regular workshops to help support organisations in maintaining volunteers and getting the most out of the group.
It will be a very good first port of call for any queries over council services because the South Hams District Council advisor represents the councils services and many other public services, not for profit and charitable organisations.

Landlord fined for repairs failure

Robert Knox, of Redgate Close, Torquay appeared before Torbay magistrates on a charge of failing to carry out improvements to numerous hazards identified in a multiple occupancy property he owned in Totnes.

Knox, who pleaded guilty to failing to comply with an improvement notice issued on December 2 2010 by South Hams District Council under section 11 and 12 of the Housing Act 2004, was fined £750 and ordered to pay £700 in costs to the council.

Following a resident’s complaint Knox had been invited by the council to carry out works to remedy a wide range of health and safety defects at his tenanted property, Western House in Station Road, Totnes.

Having failed to do so voluntarily, the council was forced to issue an Improvement Notice in December 2010 but again Knox failed to carry out all of the necessary work, and had still not done so by July 2011 when he was reported for the offence.

In his defence, Knox stated in court that he was a substantial property owner of more that £1.3 million in letting properties in and around the Torquay area and that he provided low cost homes where people could move in without having to pay deposits or advance rents. He said that he had suffered financially as a result of the economic downturn and was only going to be able to fund the remedial works to Western House by selling one of the flats. He complained that the banks had not lent him the money to enable him to carry out the works. The court’s only concession to Knox’s guilty plea was a 25 per cent discount against his fine which would otherwise have been £1000.

An Environmental Health spokesman for the Council said after the hearing: “The general condition of the flats was poor. One flat had not had any form of adequate heating for years; another had leaks coming through its ceiling from a toilet above. There were broken windows and a faulty fire alarm. The residents had contacted Mr Knox, the Landlord, but he had rarely returned telephone calls and did very little by way of remedial work. The council recognises and supports the important role that private rented properties play in the housing market but have a duty to ensure that the safety and well being of tenants is not compromised through the letting of poor quality accommodation.”

Cllr Mike Saltern, Executive Member for housing said: “This should send out a clear message to landlords to ensure that they carry out repairs as and when required and work with the council to achieve a properly habitable property. In this instance the landlord had been given every opportunity by the Environmental Health team to openly engage with them and address the issues identified in Western House. It was Mr Knox’s failure to work with officers that left them absolutely no alternative but to issue the original notice, and then subsequently prosecute him for his failure”.

He added: “The council will always, except in very unusual and serious circumstances, seek to actively engage with the landlord to have problems addressed. Prosecution is generally a last resort, but the council will not stand idly by if there are health hazards which threaten the safety of tenants at large, and which remain only because of a lack of action by a landlord.”

Junior Life Skills 2011 Keeping youngsters safe

IT’S fun, it’s free and it could help save lives! Ten and 11-year-olds from nearly 40 primary schools in the South Hams will have the time of their lives when they take part in an action-packed session they’ll never forget at this year’s Junior Life Skills event this month. (October)

More than 800 children, all Year 6 pupils from local primary schools, will learn vital new skills to keep themselves and others safe. They will also learn how to be good citizens during their specially structured session, which is completely free for those taking part.

Organised by South Hams District Council, the events take place from October 10th to the 14th at four leisure centres in the South Hams, where the children will be faced with nine different simulated scenarios, each of which they may encounter in real life. With the help of trained experts at each scenario, they will learn how to recognise potential danger, deal with emergencies and be socially responsible.

The range of topics includes road safety, fire in the home, Internet safety and first aid. These scenarios will help to develop the children’s awareness and understanding of potentially dangerous situations, to equip them with the skills to assess situations quickly, to respond appropriately, and to help build their confidence and raise their self-esteem.

The interactive scenarios are provided by Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Devon County Council, St John Ambulance, RNLI, Western Power Distribution, Bicton College and South Hams District Council.

Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Chairman of South Hams District Council, said: “Junior Life Skills is a challenge and great fun which is a perfect combination for children to learn some important messages. It’s important to teach children how to avoid becoming victims, how to look after themselves and to learn how to be good citizens. They also have a clearer understanding of the role of the police and other emergency services.”

As the event is free to the schools, it could not continue without the support of local businesses and organisations. This year’s event has been sponsored by Centrica Langage Ltd., Pennon Group plc, Rotary Club of Ivybridge, Bandvulc Tyres Ltd., Darthaven Marina, Kingsbridge Town Council, Rotary Club of Dartmouth, The Royal Castle and Seven Stars Hotels, Tone Leisure and Tesco.

Contributors towards this very worthwhile event are always welcome. If any local businesses or organisations would like to become involved with Junior Life Skills, please contact South Hams District Council’s Environmental Health Department.

The Junior Life Skills sessions take place in Ivybridge, Dartmouth, Totnes and Kingsbridge.

South Hams play parks opening - magic day for Scarlett

DARTMOUTH parents and their young children turned out in force for a Play day picnic for  the fun official opening  of Dartmouth’s Coronation Park and Victoria Road play spaces.

The last to be modernised in Dartmouth as part of a sensational £2m facelift across the district, the new play equipment brought joy and happiness to the faces of the youngsters and to South Hams District Councillor Jonathan Hawkins who performed the opening ceremonies with help of seven year old Scarlett Holmes, of Townstal, invited to be a VIP opener for the day.

Scarlett was so pleased about the new play park she wrote to Dartmouth Town Council saying why she so liked all the play equipment.  The town council handed the letter on to South Hams and the Natural Environment and Landscape team invited Scarlett to help Councillor Hawkins open the new facility by cutting a pink ribbon.

Gill Till, Children and Young People Officer for South Hams, who dressed up as a pirate along with Lorna Pitts, Early Years Child Care Services for DCC, said: Scarlett wrote such a lovely letter to us we decided to ask her to help open the play space she was delighted.

Councillor Hawkins, was joined on Saturday at the opening ceremonies by South Hams Councillors Hilary Bastone and Melvyn Stone plus the Mayor of Dartmouth Councillor Paul Allen the first at 11am in Coronation Park and then later at 1pm at Victoria Road.

Councillor Hawkins said: We had a really excellent turnout residents came out in force.  This has been really well received by the public and by the children and hopes were expressed that this was just the first phase in the continuing upgrade of Coronation Park, which next year will see the new slipway, tidying of the Dinghy Park and attractive landscape planting on the embankment side.

He added: Coronation Park is a very important green open space in Dartmouth, providing many sporting opportunities, in a unique position. It is important that this work has taken place, part of our on going commitment to improve our community facilities.

Well over 100 young families and their children had a wonderful day out entertained by magician Dan Brazier with close up magic including pulling a burning wallet from his pocket!  Other attractions included a mini ball pool, colouring pictures and treasure hunt provided by local pre-schools invited along for the opening.

Fifty play spaces across the district have been upgraded by South Hams this year to keep children and young people healthy through exercise the fun way.  In the past two years 80 parks, play spaces, and sports and recreation facilities have been upgraded in £3.8 million programme by the council.

Four locations in Dartmouth were chosen: Collingwood Road and Norton Park in Townstal and more recently Coronation Park and Victoria Road play spaces - all have now been completed.  The council invested £100,000 in Coronation Park and £40,000 in Victoria Road, making a massive difference to the quality of opportunities to play in Dartmouth.

The improvements have been funded by South Hams District Council’s Public Space Capital Programme, £1m and a further £1m raised by local communities applying for additional funds.

Landscape Officer Alex Whish, who heads up the improvements, said: It was really great to see so many children enjoying our new facilities. It is giving the children really challenging play coping with the new, sand play for toddlers, or the multi-play galleon or climbing wall.  

Visitors were able to check out Coronation Park’s new swings, including a nest swing and new rope-end swinger, sand play for toddlers including a digger and multi play, a multi play Galleon for older children and a climbing wall.  In Victoria Road they tried out a new multi play, balancing equipment and seesaw, Springer Jeep and traditional swings.

Helping out with more attractions were Humpty Dumpty Childcare (Dartmouth), Dartmouth Pre-school, Dartmouth Out of School Club, Stoke Fleming Pre-school, Blackawton Pre-school and Dartmouth Library.  

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For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications
Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

New pitch at KEVICC heralds landmark change for Totnes sport

WORK has begun on the first new sports pitch to be created in Totnes in 30 years  and it heralds a major new era of sports development for the town - historically held back by the lack of level land.

The new project, designed by architects Hopwood and Swallow to a very high specification and led by the Sports Turf Research Institute, will benefit students at  KEVICC and will also be used by the College's partner football club Totnes and Dartington FC.

The new pitch is being created on land to the left of KEVICC’s  Redworth site, once occupied by a school farm, which is now being levelled in preparation to become the new base for youth matches for the football club.

Up to now both the town’s football club and rugby club have been forced to share the two pitches on Borough Park owned by South Hams District Council.

Now  a  bold  partnership, of KEVICC, KEVICC Foundation Governors, South Hams District Council and Totnes and Dartington Football Club, is providing a new sports pitch in this £140,000 development.  It will allow major expansion of youth teams both rugby and soccer in the town. The College will also be upgrading the changing rooms to accommodate community access.

KEVICC is providing the land, KEVICC Foundation Governors are putting in £50,000 and South Hams District Council are putting up £90,000.

Kate Mason, KEVICC Principal said: This development is heralding the start of a major new expansion for sport at our College which will also reap amazing benefits for Totnes sports men and women too. We are planning a Sports Hub here at the College and this is the first step in providing enhanced facilities to our students. As a co-operative college we are keen to work in cooperation with our local community and this is a brilliant  example of how partnership work brings mutual benefit.

Teams long held back in developing their youth squads by having to share the Borough Park’s two pitches will now have room to expand. This is a breakthrough in provision of sport and we are very glad to have been able to come up with the land to make it a reality. It is a great enhancement for town and college.

Andy Newson, chairman of the football club said: This has been long awaited, but a new pitch will be a great stimulus to developing quality players and really raising the profile of the club.  It is a great leap forward for sport in the town.

The Club has also agreed to move from their longstanding home on the Borough Park  once the pitch is complete  to allow Totnes Rugby Football Club to expand their rapidly growing club.

The contractors, M J Abbott, have already moved in their equipment and have begun work in earnest this week. The aim is to have the pitch ready for use by Autumn 2012 but this is weather-dependent.

Kate Mason added: This first phase of the overall redevelopment of the College's sports facilities will have a massive impact on youth provision in the town. It is at the forefront of the College's long-term ambition to redevelop the whole campus to benefit students and staff at the College and the wider community.

South Hams District Council Executive member for Assets, Cllr Bill Hitchins said:  "This new pitch is the outcome of much hard work by the College, Council and the club.  The aim is to provide more space for both the football and rugby clubs to grow and to support their expanding youth sections. The Council looks forward to being able to work with the College in the future in delivering further elements of the overall community Sports Hub planned for the campus."

Totnes Town Councillor Tony Whitty, chairman of KEVICC’s Foundation Governors, said: This development will benefit the whole community.  It is a true community partnership to provide improved sporting facilities for the whole community. This project will benefit the town’s sporting infrastructure and provision for the youth activities which are so desperately needed. It is supported wholeheartedly by the Town Council, which in partnership with the College as a new Co-Operative Trust heralds a new era in the relationship between the College and the town community.

The Foundation Governors were very keen to see this development go-ahead.  This is why we put in our £50,000 to demonstrate our co-operative intent.

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You could be missing out on more than you think

Time is running out to respond for the electoral register

South Hams’ residents are encouraged to take advantage of the improved ways in which they can make sure their details are on the Electoral Register.

Almost 15,000 households have not yet returned their information to be included on the Electoral Register, and time is running out.

The enquiry forms sent out in August gave a free phone number and website address to help those residents without any changes to their details to respond more easily. Only residents making changes to the information need to return the form via freepost.

Any resident wishing to vote in any national or local government elections or referendums must be registered. It is also becoming increasingly important because financial institutions may refuse mortgages, accounts and credit if no record can be found on the register.

Almost 15,000 South Hams households have still not responded to the request to register. Reminders are about to be sent out to these households, and if that fails to achieve a response, then inspectors will make specific home-visits, which will be a cost to local council taxpayers. Anyone failing to comply may face a fine up to £1,000.

South Hams District Council’s Electoral Administrator, Liz Tucker, said: It’s becoming evermore important for people to be registered on the electoral register because all kinds of companies are now using it to identify customers for credit purposes.

We’ve improved access to our services so returning the information is easy too: it’s just a matter of returning the form by post and it’s free. And for people whose details haven’t changed, there’s the free phone number or the website as explained on the form.

I would urge people to return their information so we can avoid having to employ inspectors which would place an additional financial burden on council taxpayers.

Residents must register for the address where they are resident on 15 October. Residents due to move after this date should still register and contact the Electoral Registration Officer for their new address after they have moved.

For further information or advice call the Elections Office at South Hams District Council on 01803 861434.

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The Big Greenspace Challenge

Do you love your park and enjoy the green spaces where you live?  Do you and your friends, neighbours or community group have ideas to improve your green space further? Up to £20,000 is available for projects to increase people’s enjoyment of green spaces and to enhance the landscape.

Whether your green space is a park, a woodland or a meadow, residents in Plymouth and the South Hams are invited to apply to the challenge fund for support in improving the area for the benefit of the wider community.

The Big Greenspace Challenge was officially launched at Saltram House, Plympton recently and is funded by the Langage Landscape Fund which has come from the development of the Langage Energy Centre at Plympton. The Challenge - which is a partnership initiative between South Hams District Council, Plymouth City Council and Natural England aims to transform ideas into improvements for local green spaces.

Schemes within 10km of the Langage Power station will be considered.

Cllr Bill Hitchins, South Hams District Council’s Executive Councillor for Assets said: This is an excellent opportunity for communities to get together and improve their neighbourhood. It’s a simple process, and I’d encourage South Hams residents to take advantage of the funding and support on offer.

Cllr Michael Leaves, Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for Street Scene, Waste and Sustainability said: "We have been making huge strides over the last few years to encourage people to make the most of our many green spaces, parks, nature reserves and woodlands, not only through incredible projects such as Stepping Stones to Nature, but through the 'Friends' schemes which encourages people to get more involved in their parks.

"We look forward to hearing people's ideas on how this funding could be spent."

Improvements could include developing a wildlife haven, a picnic area or the planting of a community orchard.  Any ideas that enhance the quality of the green space will be considered, but please bear in mind that ideas should not have running or maintenance costs. Funding packages will include help with the design of schemes, consulting with other people within the community and the delivery of the improvements on the ground.  All you need to provide are the ideas.

To apply for funding for your local green space and get involved with The Big Greenspace Challenge, just set out your ideas by completing an expression of interest form. Your ideas don’t need to be designed or costed when you submit them, just tell the story of how you would like the area enhanced.  To get an application form, please email keith.rennells@southhams.gov.uk.

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‘Have your say’ meetings called on harbour blueprint

IF you want to have your say on how Salcombe harbour is run in the next five years – now is your chance.

Salcombe Harbour Board have now released their draft Strategic Business Plan for 2012 to 2017 following a round of consultation earlier this summer with the Harbour Community Forums and the riparian parishes.

Harbour Board chairman Councillor John Carter says in his introduction to the report: “The harbour’s infrastructure is now in a much better condition than it was five years ago following an extensive replacement and refurbishment programme. … this next five years is likely to be a period of consolidation during which we can build on Salcombe’s reputation as a safe haven with a friendly welcome”.

The plan will form the framework for all aspects of the operation of the harbour for the next five years and is the second five-year Strategic Business Plan complied by the

Board since its re-constitution following the Municipal Ports Review in 2006.  

A copy of the plan can be downloaded from the Harbour Authority web page (http://www.southhams.gov.uk/index/enjoying_index/ksp-harbours/ksp-harbours-salcombe/sp-salcombe-latest-news.htm)  or alternatively a copy can be collected direct from the Harbour Office in Salcombe.

As part of the consultation process there will be two public meetings.  The first on October 13 at 1900 in Cliff House Salcombe, the second on  October 20 at 1900 in Quay House Kingsbridge.

Any comments on the plan or any issue you would like the Harbour Board to consider should be forwarded to the Salcombe Harbour Office, Whitestrand,  Salcombe, TQ8 8BU or to salcombe.harbour@southhams.gov.uk    by  November 25 2011.  

South Hams sends crackdown message to harbour offenders

SOUTH Hams District Council’s successful prosecution of two Salcombe boat owners for not exercising sufficient care and attention while navigating the estuary is a foretaste of what wrongdoers can expect in future, says the port’s Harbour Master Ian Gibson.

The prosecutions, involving fines and costs totalling £1,680, follow a persistent pattern of speeding in the estuary which came to a head this summer with a particularly dangerous collision only “inches away” from causing serious injury to a Kingbridge Boat Watch patrol aboard their Hardy Navigator.

An 16ft Bonwitco motor boat ploughed into the stern of the Navigator while the owner, a holidaymaker, was “distracted by his children”.  It ran up over the stern and slid off the side, narrowly missing Boatwatch Co-ordinator Ian Drinkwater and a fellow volunteer Graham Smith, who were both up under the cuddy at the bow of the boat at the time. Both were left “shocked and shaking” and £1,000 damage was done to their boat.

Cdr Gibson said: “This collision was only inches away from causing serious injury. Safety in Salcombe Harbour is my principal concern.  Speed in a busy harbour is both anti-social and dangerous. Excessive speed considerably increases the risk of a serious accident, which could result in a serious injury or fatality.”

South Hams solicitor Tony Johnson said: “If someone had been sitting in the back of the Kingsbridge Boat Watch craft at the time they could have been seriously injured. As it was the two crew were under the cuddy up in the bow.

“But had someone been sat in the stern he would have suffered a very bad headache at the very least, a fractured skull or even a broken neck.  It was sheer carelessness and it is not the way we want to try to set an example of how people should behave on the estuary, whether they are holidaymakers or not.”

In another incident a persistent offender, cautioned repeatedly in the last five years, who admitted two offences and confessed in a letter to the court that he was “a speed freak” was trapped on a speed radar by Cdr. Gibson doing 15 knots in a six knot zone.   

Cdr. Gibson decided on prosecution -which is consistent with the harbour Board’s Enforcement Policy, he says after speaking to “hundreds of people” this year in an education offensive, urging them to “slow down” and observe either the eight knot speed limit in the estuary or the six knots speed limits in sensitive areas around mooring trots where damage and injury can occur from the wash of speeding craft.

He said: “This year 70 helmsmen had received verbal warnings about speeding in the harbour – that is the first level, education,” he said. “Another 31 have been issued with written warnings about their speeding activity and the consequences of such – the second level. And two have been prosecuted, which is the final sanction.”

It was his first decision to prosecute taken since he stepped into the post five years ago after a 32 year career in the Royal Navy as a Seaman Officer, mainly in Frigates. Last year he made a special report to the Salcombe Harbour Board and South Hams District Council which reviewed enforcement policy over speeding and anti social behaviour in the harbour but members decided on an “as you were” policy of education rather than clampdown.

Three years ago, he said, they started a survey of harbour users: in 2008 54 per cent felt anti-social behaviour and speeding had adversely affected their enjoyment of the estuary. In 2009 it was down to 37 per cent and in 2010 it had reduced to 28 per cent.

“We can say that the board’s policy of enforcement and education, all the notices on slipways, and the 100s of people we stop and talk to, is starting to work,” he said. “Speed in a boat makes accidents potentially fatal.  If you get injured or knocked down you cannot just get up and walk away – you drown.”

But prosecution did await the persistent offender or in the case of close shave collision it was clearly in the public’s interest to make an example of such a lack of care that could so easily have claimed the life of a volunteer, whose only reason for being on the water was to ensure the safety of other estuary users.

Councillor John Carter, Chairman of Salcombe Harbour Board said: “The Harbour Authority has taken the step of proceeding with legal prosecutionin thewake of numerous speeding incidents within the Salcombe Estuary this summer, and will continue to do so.

“Everyone using the water needs tobe ina safe environment and whereas it is somewhat easier to control amotor vehicle at speed it is a different matter for marine traffic due to the numerous buoys, moored craft, other users, tides and waves.

“We want to make estuary users aware of the dangers of speeding which can not only cause damage to themselves andto other mariners but also incur them with expensive court fines and the possibility of losing their harbour licence".

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South Hams gardeners are flying high with golden touch

SOUTH Hams gardeners will now be able to rest on their laurels after two sensational wins in Britain in Bloom – and see confirmation of their success fluttering golden in the breeze.

Green fingered residents of Kingsbridge won four neighbourhood awards and an “outstanding” for the community garden in the South West RHS Britain in Bloom regional finals – and the South West Travel Association gold cup, for best in class, which brings with it the opportunity to go through to the national finals in May next year. It is their second gold cup in two years.

South Hams District Council’s own Dartmouth gardens maintenance team are celebrating their first ever win of the Abbiss Cup for the Best Horticultural Display in the South West for the Britannia Royal Naval College Crest in Royal Avenue Gardens. It was hard won against major cities like Bristol and Bath.

Both will now be entitled to fly new gold flags signalling their wins from – in Dartmouth’s case -  a new flagpole in Royal Avenue Gardens and Kingsbridge on a pole alongside their award winning sustainable borders on the quay.

Robert Harkness, South Hams green spaces operations manager, said: “The real story here is that Britain in Bloom is one of the great early pioneers of David Cameron’s Big Society.  Britain in Bloom have been galvanising volunteers into action to brighten up our towns and villages since around 1964.”

He added: “This is a great accolade for South Hams District Council work.  It is so good for the district to see that we are achieving such a high standard of work across the council’s area.”

Kingsbridge in Bloom Committee, who only entered the competition four years ago, won a silver gilt award the first and second years, a gold medal the third and now a cup and gold medal.

Graham Price, Project Manager for Kingsbridge in Bloom said: “It is just reward for the hard work and dedication that the team have put in over the last year. Both John Binns our Mayor and Councillor Rufus Gilbert, chairman of South Hams District Council have both commented that the Kingsbridge In Bloom initiative has made the biggest impact on improving Kingsbridge for many years and we are justly proud of that. We have a fantastic local community spirit here in Kingsbridge.”

Dartmouth’s maintenance team, charge hand Dave Barnes, Matthew Horan, George Hern, and apprentice Edward Rawcliffe, also won a gold medal.  With the efforts of the town’s Foss Street businesses and members of the Britain in Bloom committee, they also landed the Cox Cup, for the most attractive shopping precinct.

South Hams Dartmouth Councillor Jonathan Hawkins said: “These are most remarkable wins for the two towns and a great feather in our cap as a district council – and a great example of how the Big Society really can make a difference.

“In July both towns are judged by two horticultural experts against the following criteria: horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility. The In Bloom competition is aimed at local communities taking pride in the town and working together with local government and business to improve our villages, towns and cities.”

The total cost of the scheme was £1,200. Councillor Hawkins put in £600 from his share of the Sustainable Community Locality Fund and the remaining £600 was covered by South Hams grounds maintenance budget.

The design has been chosen to celebrate Dartmouth’s long and successful relationship with the Royal Navy. The flowers for the scheme have been specially selected to withstand British winters and the display is expected to last three years.

Councillor Hawkins added: “Dartmouth is very proud of its connections with the Senior Service and this award shows what a perfect centre piece it makes for the port”.

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For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications

Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

South Hams Council invites you to join £2m play ‘picnic’

DARTMOUTH parents and their young children are being invited to bring a picnic and join in the fun official opening of Dartmouth’s Coronation Park and Victoria Road play spaces - the last to be modernised in a sensational £2m facelift across the district.

The official openings by South Hams District Councillor Jonathan Hawkins are being planned for Saturday, September 24 - 11am in Coronation Park and at 1pm at Victoria Road.

Fifty play spaces across the South Hams have been upgraded this year as the District Council has made this major investment in keeping children and young people healthy – through exercise the fun way.

In the past two years 80 parks, play areas, and sports and recreation facilities have been upgraded in £3.8 million programme by the council working with local communities.

Four locations in Dartmouth were chosen: Collingwood Road and Norton Park in Townstal and more recently Coronation Park and Victoria Road play spaces - all have now been completed. The council invested £100,000 in Coronation Park and £40,000 in Victoria Road, making a massive difference to the quality of opportunities to play in the Dartmouth.

The provision of high quality play spaces has been one of the key aims of the South Hams Public Space Strategy (2008-2012).

Councillor Hawkins said: “Play is a vital part of children’s physical and social development and I am extremely pleased to be given the task of official opener. These are now really exciting play areas for children of all ages and they are destined to become a real focal point in the town for children and their families”.

The improvements have been funded by South Hams District Council’s Public Space Capital Programme, £1m and a further £1m raised by local communities applying for additional funds.

This revamp is just the start of a major facelift for Coronation Park – a key leisure area in the port particularly during the town’s regatta – which includes upgrading of the dinghy park, at the same time as the work is carried out to provide a new safer public slipway next to the higher ferry, plus landscaping improvements to the waterfront area.

Landscape Officer Alex Whish, who heads up the improvements, said: “The Council has installed a mix of new and modern items of equipment, with more natural elements, that allow children to seek out different types of challenges and risks as they play, which help broaden their ability to solve problems through play and activity”.

In Coronation Park new swings have been installed, including a nest swing and new rope-end swinger, sand play for toddlers including a digger and multi play, a multi play Galleon for older children and a climbing wall. In Victoria Road there is a new multi play, balancing equipment and seesaw, Springer Jeep and traditional swings.

Don’t lose your right to vote in 2012

DON’T forget to return your annual voter registration forms to South Hams District Council. Householders in the South Hams need to return them as soon as possible to be sure of a chance to vote in the 2012 elections.

If you haven’t received your form you can contact South Hams District Council’s electoral services on 01803 861434.

You need to confirm your correct details are registered each year. If you have no changes to make you can use the automated free phone number (0800 1978641) or internet to register but you will need the two-part security code on the form to use these automated services.

If you need to add, amend or delete a name, you must complete and sign the form and return it using the freepost envelope provided.

South Hams Electoral Administrator Liz Tucker said: “Registering to vote is very simple. All you have to do is update the annual canvass form with the details of anyone in your household who is eligible to vote and return it to us as soon as possible. If your details haven’t changed you can reply by free phone or online using the unique security codes printed on your form.

“It is important that you complete and return the registration form so you’re able to take part in elections or referendums in 2012, otherwise you will not be able to vote.

“We will be sending reminders out to coincide with the qualifying date which is  October 15. After that we will make house to house calls on those who have not responded. The Registers will be published by  December 1 2011”.

For more information, contact South Hams electoral services on 01803 861434 or email elections@southhams.gov.uk

South Hams Connect sets up shop in Sainsbury’s

South Hams residents will be able to say what they think about health and social care services in the area as they pick up their weekly shopping at Sainsbury’s supermarket at Dartmouth.

Connect drop-in advice service is setting up its stall in the store on Wednesday September 21 between 10.30am and 1pm – with an advisor from LINk Devon who will discuss with residents whether the health and social care services are a good fit for the people who use them.

LINk Devon is a network of groups and individuals who are keen to know how healthy the health care system is – whether in rude health or ailing and hear feed back on services to facilitate changes for the better.   

An advisor from Devon County Council Community Adult Learning will also be available to help residents and answer questions about the new courses starting this autumn – if you’re thinking of gaining new skills or improving old ones, building confidence or wanting to gain a qualification come and have a chat.

As always, a customer service advisor from South Hams District Council will be available to help with council related questions and a wide range of public service enquiries.

The Connect service of roving advisors was first rolled out in West Devon Borough Council area four and a half years ago. Since 2007 West Devon Borough Council and South Hams District Council have been working towards sharing their services.  Now the service has been extended to South Hams.

Claire Wager, South Hams Connect Co-ordinator, who organises the South Hams Connect programme of events, said: “The people we have helped have been really pleased.  At one event recently I helped an elderly lady who was worried about security and wanted a personal alarm system to help her live independently. She wanted me to liaise directly with the company and I was able to sort that out on her behalf.  Her only relative – her son, lived away – and she did not want to bother him.  We were really glad to help and she was very grateful.”

Councillor Hilary Bastone, a South Hams member for Dartmouth and Kingswear said: “This is a really sound idea to take the temperature of health care – at the point where people are gathering and going about their daily lives.  Decisions on health care seem remote sometimes; you don’t expect to find them debated amongst the baked beans, but it works.”

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications
Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Walk and Talk steps out on Sharpham Estate

OVER 40 walkers and volunteer walk leaders from South Hams Walk and Talk recently had the chance to visit and hear about  the history of Sharpham Estate, a 550 acre estate on the banks of the River Dart, south of Totnes.  

Steve Hazell, the Heritage project officer for Sharpham outdoors approached Kate Wright, the Co-ordinator for South Hams Walk and Talk to discuss this opportunity to visit the estate and learn about the history of the house “from the naval hero, Philemon Pownoll, who built the estate to his feckless great grandson who lost everything betting on a spider race”, its landscape, wildlife and natural history.  

Kate Wright said: “I was delighted to discuss and plan how we could offer this opportunity to the local schemes.  One keen volunteer organized walkers and leaders from Kingsbridge to visit in July and Totnes incorporated the visit in its regular programme of Monday morning walks”.  

Totnes Walk and Talk have regular short walks on Wednesdays and moderate walks on Mondays and monthly Sunday mystery walks for those people wanting to get fitter and are unable to join the weekday walks.    

South Hams Walk and Talk and is part of the National initiative Walking for Health.  The aim of this initiative is to get people out in their local community to increase their physical activity and enjoy the social and physical benefits of walking.   

For more details about Walk and Talk contact Kate Wright on 01822 813571, 07920 786505 or email kate.wright@southhams.gov.uk

The Walk and Talk Walking for Health scheme is supported by South Hams District Council, Devon County Council, Natural England and NHS Devon.

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For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications
Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

South Hams Connect is all set to sizzle

HELP is on the way to 2,000 homes in the Woolwell area as South Hams District Council’s Connect service mounts a new information offensive over a hot dog – courtesy of the 1st Roborough Scouts Summer Sizzle.

The highly successful  roving service advisors, first rolled out in the West Devon Borough Council area four and a half years ago and now being replicated in the South Hams. The team will be out in force on September 24 at Woolwell Community Centre to provide, help, advice and guidance on all aspects of public service.

It promises to be a fun day out - from 11.30am to 2.30pm - with a serious message for all residents especially for those in rural areas on the outskirts of North West Plymouth who might be unaware of the benefits and services available to them through the South Hams Connect service – an umbrella group of public service, not-for-profit and charitable organisations.

The roadshow will bring specialists from the police, fire brigade, South Hams Recycling Team, Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Link Devon, Children’s Centre, Action on Hearing Loss, Community Safety Partnership, Devon Air Ambulance Trust, Housing Benefits Team,  Adult and Community Learning, South Hams Community  Voluntary Service, Bickleigh Parish Council and Oakhouse Foods.

The Scouts Summer Sizzle starts in the Irene Peters Scout Hall at 1pm and ends at 3pm with barbecue, face painting, bouncy castle and fun for all the family.

Claire Wager, South Hams Connect Co-ordinator , who organises the South Hams Connect programme of events, said: “The people we have helped have been really pleased.  At one event recently I helped an elderly lady who was worried about security and wanted a personal alarm system to help her live independently. She wanted me to liaise directly with the company and I was able to sort that out on her behalf.  Her only relative – her son, lived away – and she did not want to bother him.  We were really glad to help and she was very grateful.”

Claire added: “This is where the service comes into its own. We are definitely getting the message out there.  This is the third major event in the South Hams this year.  We’ve staged events in Totnes in May, and Kingsbridge in June.  We also have a regular monthly surgery at Dartmouth’s Sainsbury’s store.

“Now we are planning to take the message out into the rural areas and we are taking soundings to see which areas would benefit most from a outreach service from our teams.”

The service is being valued she says by the agencies themselves. “In West Devon there are agencies that have supported us from day one and are still on board.  They have definitely found that it is working out well for them and that is underlined by the fact that they have continued in this diminishing market.”

Cllrs Carolyn Bruce - Spencer, South Hams member for Bickleigh and Shaugh, said: “This is going to be a great day out for everyone – a real community occasion. We are delighted to see South Hams Connect will be there to provide real help and understanding for those in need  and unaware of what public services help is available to them.”

Note to editors

Since 2007 West Devon Borough Council and South Hams District Council have been working towards sharing their services.
For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications
Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

South Hams plans new ‘safer’ slipway for boat users

A NEW public boat launching slipway is being planned for Dartmouth – to run alongside the old slipway at the Higher Ferry on the west bank of the River Dart.  

South Hams District Council is currently finalising plans to make the existing slipway safe, run in a new slipway at an angle alongside and infill between the two.

The work has been made necessary since the old slipway is narrow and does not have a kerb to stop trailers or vehicles slipping over the edge. Also in certain tidal conditions there was the potential for the wire hawsers guiding the higher ferry to conflict with the slipway.

The slipway is used a great deal by the RNLI Dartmouth Inshore Lifeboat, the gig club, rowing club and sailing club and other local boat clubs and was narrow and showing signs of being undermined by the river.

The council has appointed a Plymouth based, multi-disciplinary Engineering Consultants URS Scott Wilson Ltd to design a replacement structure but before the council finalises plans, they are asking the public for their views.

Full details of the proposals will be on display at an unmanned exhibition in the Guildhall, Victoria Road, Dartmouth, for three weeks from Monday September 5 to Friday  September 23. Comments are being invited on a questionnaire which will be available at the Guildhall, which can be “posted” at the Guildhall to register your views.

It is envisaged that the new slipway will have a negligible impact on the existing river regime, with a high-spec bitumen surface, and be sheet piled and in-filled to provide an expected 50 year lifespan.

The gap between the new an old slipway will be in-filled with rock armour to provide a natural habitat for river life. The Tentacled Lagoon Worm (Alkmaria romijni) a protected species is known to live in the sediment in the estuary. Mooring rings will allow a boat to be secured at various states of the tide while owners mover trailers to the boat park.

Work is likely to take 10 weeks, but the council is intending to minimise disruption by doing the work in the winter months and noisy pile driving will be restricted to working hours.

Councillor Hilary Bastone, South Hams District Council member for Dartmouth and Kingswear said: “This is welcome news and we are grateful that this process will lead to a new public slipway for Dartmouth. It is long overdue.  Work towards this started in the 1990s now it is good to see it is coming to fruition.”

Councillor Bill Hitchins, South Hams District Council Executive Member for Assets, said: “I am pleased that we have been able to put this programme together to provide a much needed new facility on the upper slipway and hope that this will be a positive step to make launching boats on the slipway safe for everyone.”

For further information Contact Roland Pyzer, URS Scott Wilson Ltd, Mayflower House, Armada Way, Plymouth, PL1 1LD, roland.pyzer@scottwilson.com. 01752 676700. Or Tracy Windemer, Engineering Manager, South Hams District Council, twindemer@westdevon.gov.uk 01822 813545

August 25, 2011

South Hams Electrical Amnesty Success

More than 2.5 tonnes of waste electronic and electrical equipment were collected to be reused or recycled on South Hams District Council’s Electrical Waste Amnesty Day held recently.

From old toasters and kettles to TVs and computers, virtually anything that runs on batteries or has a plug was collected free of charge from local businesses.

The amnesty was run by the district council in partnership with local social enterprise Pluss, as well as SIMS, the world’s largest metals recycling company. The electricals were collected, sorted and recycled in a bid to reduce the waste being sent to landfill. The only items not eligible for the scheme were fridges, freezers and car batteries.

South Hams businesses were encouraged to contact Pluss in advance to arrange a free pick up of their waste. A collection point was set up at Follaton House council offices in Totnes for staff to bring their electrical waste to work on the day.  

Cllr Jonathan Hawkins, South Hams district council member for a clean environment said: “The electrical amnesty provided an excellent opportunity for businesses to dispose of unwanted electrical items in a positive way. The project is great for the environment and the response from business owners and council staff has far exceeded expectations. This has encouraged us to consider another amnesty day in six months.”

Michael Crompton-Holgate, Locality Manager for Pluss said: "It's been great to see the interest our small collections service has generated over the past few months since we have started collecting waste electrical products.  

Help us improve our website

Internet users who click on to South Hams District Council’s website are being invited to take part in an online survey asking what they use the website for now and how they would like to use it in the future.

The Council is keen to find out people’s views so it can continue to improve its services and communicate more effectively with residents, businesses and visitors.

The survey takes just a few minutes to complete, is anonymous and the responses will not be published but will be used to inform any changes the Council may make. The questionnaire will come up automatically when you click on to www.southhams.gov.uk

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NOTE TO EDITORS

Please direct media enquiries to South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

New waste collection service for South Hams businesses

A new food waste collection service for commercial premises begins in the South Hams later this month. (August)

South Hams District Council is one of the few local authorities in the South West to offer the service which will help local businesses to cut costs by reducing the amount of waste that they send to landfill as well as minimising the environmental impact.

The food waste from businesses will be sent to the new Langage Farm anaerobic digestion facility based on the outskirts of the South Hams district which was opened last month. (July)

Through a complex process, the facility will process the food waste into electricity which can then either be used locally or exported to the National Grid.

The Council is now inviting businesses to get in touch to find out more about the new service.

Beverley Mason, South Hams District Council’s Commercial Waste Manager said: This is recycling at its best. We are providing businesses with an opportunity to reduce their environmental impact and the amount of waste they send to costly landfill disposal sites.

There’s already been significant interest in the new service and we are confident of a strong demand for collections. Going forward, we have plans to increase the service to twice weekly collections and if it is viable, we will add additional collection areas.

Cllr Jonathan Hawkins, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for the Environment, said: We are delighted to offer this additional sustainable service. Both the Council and businesses reduce their carbon footprint as the food waste gets recycled into energy right here in the South Hams.

Businesses interested in learning more about the new service should contact the Commercial Waste team at South Hams District Council on 01803 861256 or commercial.waste@southhams.gov.uk

More than half of district waste still being recycled

Residents in the South Hams continue to recycle and compost over half of their waste. The district’s recycling and composting rate of 55% means residents are sending less than half of their waste to landfill.

Although 2010/2011 saw a small drop of 2% from the previous years overall recycling and composting rate, South Hams residents have composted more organic waste this year than ever before. 10,240 tonnes of waste were composted in 2010/11, up 1.6% from last year.

Ruth Edwards, South Hams District Council’s waste strategy and policy officer said: With many residents spending more carefully, we believe this affects what households are throwing away. This is also demonstrated through a decrease in the amount of landfill waste collected from households.

South Hams District Council is exploring options to improve on previous performance. The most profound effect on the recycling performance has been an increase in the waste collected from schools, hospitals, residential homes, campsites and self-catering holiday accommodation. As premises such as these create a large waste tonnage in the South Hams, this is a potential area for improvement of recycling rates.

Cllr Jonathan Hawkins, South Hams district councillor for a clean environment said: The enthusiasm for recycling in the South Hams continues to be exemplary. It is great news that our residents are as keen as ever to recycle and compost as much of their waste as possible. Most importantly, residents seem to be changing their behaviour, shopping smarter and wasting less.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

Please direct media enquiries to South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

South Hams Connect at Sainsburys

South Hams Connect drop in advice service will be at Sainsburys supermarket in Dartmouth on Wednesday August 17 from 10.30am – 1pm

South Hams District Council’s Connect sessions aim to improve access to public services by bringing council advisers out into the community.
Devon County Council’s Adult and Community Learning representatives will be joining us this month with information about courses starting in the Dartmouth area. In addition, Devon Wheels 2 Work will be on hand to chat about the services they offer.

As always, a customer services adviser from South Hams District Council will be available to help with council-related questions and a wide range of public service enquiries.

Everyone is welcome to come along, pick up some information and ask questions.

For more information about South Hams Connect please contact South Hams District Council’s customer services team on 01803 861234 or email customer.services@southhams.gov.uk.

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Please direct media enquiries to South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Wednesday is South Hams PLAY DAY!

South Hams will be marking National Play Day, the annual celebration of children’s right to play on Wednesday August 3 2011.

Residents are invited to bring their children along to FREE play day events, which will feature plenty of fun activities including: workshops; children’s entertainment; games; messy play for young children; the Youth Service mobile unit for teens; karate and bike displays and magic shows.

South Hams Play Forum (SHAPES) and South Hams District Council have worked in partnership with the Early Years and Childcare Service, Devon Youth Service, Local children’s centres and Tone Leisure to run two events on August 3 at:

10am to 1pm: Borough Park, Totnes

10.30am to 1.30pm: Victoria Park and St. John’s Church Hall, Ivybridge (in the event of inclement weather, activities will be in the scout hut).

We are delighted to be working closely with the local community on these events, and that many of the activity providers are volunteering. This has enabled us to provide play day events again this year for children and their families and to join the hundreds of communities across the UK in marking National Play Day.

Please bring a picnic with you to the play day events.

If you would like to get involved or would like further information about the Play Day events, please contact

Gill Till, Children and Young People Officer at South Hams District Council on 01803 861399, e-mail gill.till@southhams.gov.uk or visit http://www.playday.org.uk/.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Please direct media enquiries to South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Dartmouth ferries fully operational and hours extended

South Hams District Council’s Dartmouth ferries are now fully operational following a hydraulics repair to one of the ferries.

The district council runs the lower ferry at Dartmouth, which has been reduced to one operational ferry for the past week while essential repairs were made to the other.

Pat Webb, lower Dartmouth ferry manager said: “We’d like to thank our customers for being so patient during this time. The ferries are an important part of life for many Dartmouth and Kingswear residents.

“I’d also like to thank the lower ferry team for working so hard to minimise the inconvenience to customers and to get the second ferry back on the water as quickly as possible.”

The ferry service’s operating hours are also being extended for the summer holidays. From July 25 – Sept 1, 2011, the main ferry will run as normal until 10.55pm, but the second ferry’s operating hours will be extended until 7:15pm.

In addition, during the Dartmouth Royal Regatta from 25th – 27th August, both ferries will run until 10.55pm on all three days.

Please direct media enquiries to South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

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July 21, 2011

Salcombe and Kingsbridge Estuary mud testing

The Environment Agency (EA) will be testing the levels of nutrients in the mud in Salcombe and Kingsbridge Estuary over the next few weeks using a small hovercraft.

The Agency will also be checking for any increased growth of fast-growing algae. The 2010 survey results will be analysed with the results of the survey this month to ensure the accuracy of the findings.  

The mud samples will be taken from the hovercraft and will take place as follows:

11 July: Launch from Kingsbridge public slip at 7am
12 July: Launch from Gerston Works at 8am
13 July: Launch from Gerston Works at 9am
15 July: Launch Southpool Creek at 10am
28 July: Launch from Gerston Works at 10am (if required).

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For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

You can also contact the Environment Agency press office on 01392 442084.

Business work hub for Totnes

An informal meeting is to be held on Tuesday 19th July at 2.30pm at the Seven Stars Hotel in Totnes to discuss the development of a pioneering new work space in Totnes.

According to extensive research by Devon County Council, there is a demand in the Devon business community for a new form of flexible workspace, or work hub.

The County Council has found that a number of towns in Devon would benefit from a work hub, but that the greatest demand is in Totnes.

Work hubs are a flexible workspace, providing an office space as and when it is needed for businesses and mobile workers, including those who are home based. They typically offer a range of services for businesses including excellent IT connectivity, networking opportunities and business support services.

South Hams District Council is working in partnership with Devon County Council on the development of a work hub facility for Totnes. The meeting is being held to inform the community, share the research results and open up a dialogue with local organisations and businesses who may wish to be involved in the development process.

Cllr John Carter, the South Hams Executive Member for Planning, Economy and Community said: “Work hubs provide an environment which encourages business collaboration and networking. This concept of sharing ideas and services will work very well in Totnes, where businesses have demonstrated a demand for such a facility”.

At the meeting the research highlights will be presented. Interested parties will then be invited to gather information and give feedback on the proposed ideas during an informal discussion session.

For further information on the work hub project, please contact Carol Trant, South Hams District Council’s Business Support Officer on 01803 861267 or visit www.workhubs.com

Please direct media enquiries to South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

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July 7, 2011

South Hams Connect at Sainsburys

South Hams Connect drop in advice service will be at Sainsburys supermarket in Dartmouth on Wednesday July 20 from 10.30am – 1pm.  

South Hams Connect sessions are run by South Hams District Council to improve access to public services. Council advisers will be visiting Dartmouth so that residents can talk to someone locally and ask questions.

Specialist advisers will be available from the Housing and Benefits department to chat with residents about housing issues and answer questions about claiming housing and council tax benefit.

As always a customer services adviser from South Hams District Council will be available to help with other council-related questions and a wide range of public service enquiries.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to drop in and ask questions.  

For more information about South Hams Connect please contact South Hams District Council’s Customer Services team on 01803 861234 or email customer.services@southhams.gov.uk.

Please direct media enquiries to South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

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July 7, 2011

South Hams Connect Fair

Kingsbridge residents took full advantage of the South Hams Community information fair at The Quay, Market Square on Saturday, June 25.

The Connect fair brought advisers from South Hams District Council and representatives from 18 public service, not-for-profit and charitable organisations out into the community, and over 560 enquiries were taken.
The organisations were able to promote their services to Saturday shoppers and visitors chatted to professionals, had their questions answered and took away information with them.

Cllr Rufus Gilbert, Chairman of South Hams District Council attended the event. He said: “Having so many different information stands made the visit very worthwhile. It was an ideal opportunity for me to hear firsthand about the variety of help that is on offer to people of all ages. Everyone was cheerful and only too willing to help and offer advice.”

Not-for-profit organisation Devon Wheels 2 Work offers long-term loans of motorcycle and mopeds to enable people to access employment, training and social opportunities.

Wheels 2 Work was particularly popular at the event, and representative Max Jowett said: “South Hams Connect outreach sessions and fairs are invaluable for residents who have limited access to transport. Through our partnership with South Hams District Council’s Connect initiative, we’ve already provided subsidised transport to 12 clients.”

The next drop-in Connect event in the area will be in Dartmouth at Sainsbury’s supermarket on July 20 from 10.30am – 1pm.

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July 4, 2011  

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications

Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Britannia in Bloom

A magnificent floral display depicting the crest of the Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) will be unveiled at a ceremony to be held at Royal Avenue Gardens, Dartmouth on July 7.

The vibrant display has been planted by South Hams District Council’s Environment Services team and cost £1200. The South Hams Sustainable Community Locality Fund contributed £600 towards the display and the South Hams grounds maintenance budget covered the remainder.

Each district councillor has been given a budget of £1,000 to support ideas to benefit their wards from the Sustainable Community Locality Fund. Cllr Jonathan Hawkins, representing Dartmouth and Kingswear ward has allocated part of his budget to the Royal Avenue Gardens BRNC project.

The design has been chosen to celebrate Dartmouth’s long and successful relationship with the Royal Navy. The flowers for the scheme have been specially selected to withstand British winters and the scheme is expected to last three years.

Councillor Hawkins said: The BRNC crest will be a perfect centre piece for 2011 and Dartmouth is very proud of its connections with the Senior Service.

The Royal Avenue Gardens are very important to all of us. Working with Dartmouth in Bloom and officers from South Hams District Council, a major replanting project has started. I was pleased to be able to offer funding from Devon County and South Hams District Councillor Funds.

The floral display will be officially opened by Commodore Simon Williams of the BRNC at the ceremony. The South Hams District councilors representing the Dartmouth wards have been invited to the event, as well as Dartmouth Mayor Paul Allen.

To find out more about the Sustainable Community Locality Fund contact your local district councillor. Their contact details can be found on the South Hams District Council website at www.southhams.gov.uk.

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July 4, 2011  

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications

Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Duke and Duchess of Cornwall to visit Salcombe

Salcombe is in for a royal treat next week when the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visit the seaside town.

The royal couple will be in the town next Monday (July 11) and among the places they will visit will be the Harbour and the town’s Lifeboat Station.

The Duke of Cornwall will also visit the Salcombe Fish Quay where he will meet local fishermen. He will also meet representatives of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The AONB is this year celebrating the 50th anniversary of its designation. Salcombe has an active shell-fishing fleet with many people earning their living from marine related businesses which include an array of boatyards, service industries and sailing schools and ferries to East Portlemouth, South Sands and Kingsbridge.

The couple will round off their trip with a visit to Atfield’s Boatyard. Throughout their tour they will be introduced to local traders and residents in the town.

Cllr Rufus Gilbert, Chairman of South Hams District Council, who will be introduced to the Duke and Duchess on the day, said: “We are thrilled to welcome them to the District and I can promise them a very warm reception from all of the people of the South Hams.”

Salcombe Harbour is set within the South Devon AONB and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Two tides a day fill the four and a half mile estuary with 19 million cubic metres of sea water and it is almost entirely a marine system which has brought about some rare and important habitats and species.

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July 4, 2011  

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications

Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Housing and benefits advice surgery in Ivybridge

South Hams residents are invited to come along to the Watermark Centre in Ivybridge on Thursday July 14 between 10am and 12noon where South Hams Connect will be holding a drop-in advice session.

South Hams District Council’s Connect sessions take public services into communities and enable residents to talk to someone locally and ask questions.

Specialist advisors will be available from South Hams District Council’s housing and benefits department to offer face to face advice, and as always a customer services advisor will also be available to chat about any other public service enquiries.

Everyone is welcome to drop-in, browse the stands and ask questions.  

For more information about South Hams Connect please contact South Hams District Council’s customer services on 01803 861234 or email customer.services@southhams.gov.uk

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No. 057-11

Date July 4, 2011      

Please direct media enquiries to South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

COUNCIL APPEAL FOR HELP TO TRACK DOWN FLY TIPPERS

South Hams District Council officers are appealing to the public for help to find fly tippers who dumped rare red roofing tiles in a lay by.

Officers are investigating two illegal fly tipping incidents of the tiles and believe that green painted drain pipes - also dumped alongside - may provide a clue.

[Fly Tip]

A Council spokesman said: It’s very likely the waste was taken from a site loose on the back of a tipper-type vehicle.  We suspect that an unwitting customer has probably paid a large sum of money for this waste to be disposed of properly. Alongside the roof tiles were drain pipes which are painted in a very distinctive green colour.

We are appealing to anyone who may identify the tiles and drainpipes as coming from a property they know to contact us on our confidential helpline.

Both fly-tipping incidents were discovered on the road to Holbeton from the A379, in a lay by near the disused Moorshead Sawmill.

The South Hams fly tipping confidential help line is 01803 861262.

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For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

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July 1, 2011

Raising the flag at Follaton House

The community came together on Monday (June 20) to raise a flag to thank our armed forces at the beginning of Armed Forces week.

The Chairman of South Hams District Council, Cllr Rufus Gilbert, Commodore Simon Williams from British Royal Naval College and Reverend David Treeby from Stoke Gabriel led a short ceremony outside Follaton House in recognition of Armed Forces week.

[Armed Forces Day]

Cllr Gilbert said: We come together today to thank our armed forces for the everyday toil of training and preparation for situations of conflict. Our soldiers, sailors, air men and women are constantly serving in areas of conflict around the world to help protect our freedom and the freedom of those that surround them.

Those that do return may have suffered injury, some of which will have changed their lives forever. On returning they will also have many difficult memories to live with for a very long time.

It is an honour to have this opportunity to pay tribute to these valiant men and women and to acknowledge the dangers they face. They are ready to make the ultimate sacrifice if called upon, here or abroad. Our thoughts are also with their families and friends who give emotional support, love, care and encouragement during difficult times. In this week leading up to Armed Forces Day on Saturday June 26 it is fitting that we take this moment to remember our military personnel wherever they may be.   

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

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28th June 2011


Notes to the editor.
Photograph shows from left to right
Left - Commodore Simon Williams of BRNC, Dartmouth;
Middle - Chairman of South Hams District Council Cllr Rufus Gilbert and
Right - Reverend David Treeby from Stoke Gabriel.

Give someone you know their moment to shine

Nominate someone from your community to carry the Olympic Flame.

With just under one year to go until the Olympic Flame arrives in the UK, London 2012 has launched the search for 8,000 torchbearers to take part in the Olympic Torch Relay.

Do you know someone who:

•         Always tries to be the best they can be?

•         Makes a real difference in their school or community?

•         Has shown what it means to be a real friend?

•         Has inspired you to do something you never thought possible?

This is your chance to give them their moment to shine. Around 90% of the torch bearers selected will be members of the public with a focus on young people aged 12 – 24. They will be individuals whose personal stories will inspire millions of people as the 70-day relay travels the length and breadth of the UK.

Goto www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay and nominate your local hero - a coach, a friend, a referee - give them a chance to carry the Olympic Torch next year. Nominations close on June 29, 2011 at 11:59pm so log on now.

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June 3, 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team

on 01803 861368/9, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.go

South Hams District Council launch new Food Hygiene Rating Scheme

Customers will be better informed when eating out in the South Hams thanks to the introduction of a new scheme which tells them about the hygiene standards of food outlets.

South Hams District Council is introducing the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) across the entire District just in time for Food Safety Week (June 6-10).

The national scheme has been developed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in partnership with local authorities and provides information on food hygiene standards to help people to choose where to eat out or shop for food.

More than 1100 food premises in the South Hams are included in the scheme, such as restaurants, pubs, cafes, takeaways, care homes, event caterers, schools, hotels, supermarkets and other food shops.

The hygiene standards found during these inspections have been rated on a scale ranging from zero, which means ‘urgent improvement necessary’ to a top rating of five - ‘very good’. These ratings are available for anyone to view on the FSA website (www.food.gov.uk/ratings) and once inspected, the businesses are given a sticker and certificate for display at their premises.

Cllr Mike Saltern, the Environmental Health portfolio holder for South Hams District Council said: “We are pleased to be part of this national scheme because it is both good for the consumer and good for businesses. As the scheme is national it will mean that a rating given elsewhere in the Country will have the same meaning as that awarded locally. This will be a good endorsement for businesses meeting hygiene standards and those falling short of the legal hygiene requirements will continue to get support from the council”.

Over one million people suffer from food poisoning each year and through the scheme, customers will be better informed when deciding where to eat out. A rating can be withdrawn if a business’s standards are found to have dropped at a later inspection. Businesses are entitled to appeal, have the right to reply about their rating and can also request re-inspection.

Jeff Rooker, Chair of the FSA, said: ‘We’re really pleased to have South Hams District Council on board with this national initiative. The FSA has worked in partnership with local authorities to develop this scheme, which allows people to judge for themselves whether they consider the hygiene standards of a food outlet to be good enough. This will help local people and the many visitors to the area choose where they want to eat out or shop for food. If customers are looking for a rating, this will drive businesses to improve their standards.’

Ends

050-11

Date May 27, 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team

on 01803 861368, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Information Feast at Kingsbridge Community Day

Saturday June 25 will see South Hams Connect and its partners stage its first Community event which will bring a wealth of information to the heart of Kingsbridge.  Held between 10am and 2pm at Quayside, Market Square, the event will have more than 24 agencies and organisations offering help and advice on a variety of public and recreational services.

This joint venture aims to provide local residents easier access to a variety of services including: South Hams Community & Voluntary Services; Devon Wheels 2 Work; Children’s Centre; Tone Leisure and the Fire Service. In addition, a selection of information will be available from various health and social care organisations which support people in the community.

South Hams District Council representatives will be in attendance to advise on Waste and Recycling as well as Benefits and Housing and are looking forward to meeting the many residents and visitors that enjoy Kingsbridge on a busy Saturday.

Cllr Keith Wingate said: ”Community Information Days such as these are a good opportunity for local residents to come along to the town square and browse stalls for information.

“Sometimes it is difficult for rural communities to access some agencies, but here is an opportunity to talk to informed people on your doorstep.”

For more information about South Hams Connect please contact South Hams District Council Customer Services on 01803 861234 or e mail customer.services@southhams.gov.uk.

Ends

051-11

31^st May  2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications

Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Council helps to provide more affordable homes

The need for affordable housing in the South Hams is high on the list of priorities for the council.

Until recently South Hams District Council owned 24 units used as temporary accommodation for homeless people in urgent need of housing. These properties all have repair and maintenance issues which involve costs to the council.

Eleven of these have now been successfully transferred across to the South Hams Intermediate Rental Enterprise (SHIRE) scheme, under management by South Devon Rural Housing Association (SDRHA) for long term accommodation needs. All properties are brought up to the association's lettings standard and are well maintained.

This means that the association who have already provided fifteen much needed affordable homes in South Hams through the SHIRE scheme, now have another eleven properties available for long term rental at typically at 80% of the prevailing market rent

South Devon Rural Housing Association do not insist on a deposit 'up front', they just ask that tenants pay one months advance rent.

If you would like more information theAffordableHousingTeam will be pleased to help and can be contacted on 01803 861234 or affordable.housing@southhams.gov.uk

Ends

048-11

26^th May 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Donation helps air ambulance fly

Devon Air Ambulance continues flying with the help of a whopping donation presented to Helena Holt, Chief Executive of Devon Air Ambulance Trust by Cllr John Baverstock.

Cllr Baverstock chose Devon Air Ambulance as his charity of the year when he was elected Chairman of South Hams District Council 2010/2011. At the end of his year in office he was delighted to be able to hand over a large cheque for the amount of £ 1,401.70

Cllr Baverstock said :”Devon Air Ambulance provides a vital service to the people of the South Hams and Devon as a whole. Throughout the year road shows visited the market towns of Totnes, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and Ivybridge, so that the public could meet volunteers and hear how the service helps people all year round.

“The generosity of the people of South Hams just shows how much this service is appreciated and we are delighted that by raising this money we can help them to keep on flying.”

Helena Holt, Chief Executive of Devon Air Ambulance Trust said: “The road shows were really successful. We signed up six new volunteers and gave out three hundred packs of information.

3 ex patients came forward to chat to us and gave us invaluable background history of their experiences which will help us enormously for future publicity. Finally,  we were delighted to be told of 5 new fund raising events in the pipeline.  

“Devon Air Ambulance Trust is 100% funded by the public and this generous donation helps us to keep in the air”.

If you would like to be involved with Devon Air Ambulance Trust or receive more information please call 01392 466666 or e mail info@daat.org

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

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049-11

26^th May 2011

New Chairman for South Hams District Council

Kingsbridge councillor Rufus Gilbert has today (May 19, 2011) been elected as the new Chairman of South Hams District Council.

Cllr Gilbert, who represents the Kingsbridge North ward, was voted in at the Council’s annual meeting. His vice-chairman is Cllr Rosemary Rowe, who represents the East Dart ward.

Cllr Gilbert, who was elected to the Council in 2007, told the meeting: “I am honoured to accept this role and I will carry it out to the very best of my ability. “

He has been a parish councillor at East Portlemouth for ten years and its chairman for three years. A former Mayor of Kingsbridge, he is also a town councillor and has been a member of Salcombe Harbour Board for approximately twenty five years. He was also a governor at Kingsbridge Community College from 2001 to 2008.

After a long period in international business predominantly spent in oil exploration all over the world, Cllr Gilbert and his wife Sandy settled in the South Hams in 1983. He now runs a smallholding with sheep, angora goats and poultry.

Cllr Gilbert has chosen to support the Spiritualized charity for young people in Kingsbridge during his term as Chairman.

Outgoing Chairman Cllr John Baverstock was praised by his fellow councillors following his year in the role. Cllr Trevor Pennington said:John has always been extremely firm yet fair in Council meetings. He has also been a very good ambassador for this authority.

Cllr John Tucker was elected as Leader of the Council with Cllr Michael Hicks as Deputy Leader.

[New Chairman Photo]

Pictured is Cllr Gilbert, right, with Cllr Rowe.

Ends.
No.047 - 11
Date: May 19th 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07773 426834 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Election Results from South Hams District Council

South Hams has a new council today Friday May 6 2011 following yesterdays poll

A total of 37 of 40 District Council seats were contested.

The political composition of the District Council is now: -

Conservatives 30 (27*)
Independents 1 (2*)
Green Party 3 (1*)
Liberal Democrats 5 (9*)
The Labour and Co-Operative Party 1 (0)
Others:
Non aligned 0 (1*)

* Figures in brackets show political composition of the District Council prior to May 5 2011.

Following an extensive publicity campaign, the District Council issued over 10,000 postal votes

District Council election results

Some parish councils also had elections and these results are also attached.

Ends

043-11

May 6 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Senior Management Review confirmed for South Hams and West Devon Councils

South Hams District and West Devon Borough Councils have successfully appointed a shared Senior Management Team following a rigorous recruitment process over the last month.

Councillors from both authorities and shared Chief Executive Richard Sheard have selected two corporate directors and seven heads of service to work across both councils. The new team replaces four directors and 15 service heads. The restructure is expected to release more than £500,000 per year in savings.

Mr Sheard, who joined the councils in his shared role in November 2010, led the review in order to rationalise the structure of the authorities and achieve efficiency savings. He said: “The need to restructure at senior level was clear to everybody across both councils. My predecessor, David Incoll, and the former senior management team have done an incredible job in securing more than £1.6 million in savings from shared services through pragmatism and making the most of every opportunity.

“We are only able to take this radical step because of the work that has gone before. It is unfortunate that individuals who have performed so well in the past now have to make way, but we are satisfied that the new streamlined team will be up to the huge challenges ahead.

“Councillors have been highly supportive of this review and the whole shared services agenda. They have been shortlisted by the Municipal Journal in the ‘Most effective political team of the year’ category, which is richly deserved.”

The Senior Management Team is now confirmed as:

Chief Executive - Richard Sheard

Corporate Director - Alan Robinson

Corporate Director - Tracy Winser

Head of Assets – Kate Cassar

Head of Corporate Services - Jan Montague

Head of Environmental Health & Housing - Ian Bollans

Head of Environment Services - Helen Dobby

Head of Finance and Audit - Lisa Buckle

Head of ICT and Customer Services – Darren Cole

Head of Planning & Community Delivery - Marion Playle

Most of the posts were filled by internal applicants.

~Ends~

For further information please contact:

The shared West Devon and South Hams Communications team on 01803 861368 or 01822 813648, or email publicrelations@southhams.gov.uk or pressoffice@westdevon.gov.uk.

Four Blue Flag beach awards for the South Hams

Four beautiful beaches in the South Hams have won the internationally-recognised Blue Flag award which guarantees that the golden shores have top notch facilities, are litter free and have achieved a high standard of water quality.

South Hams District Council-owned South Sands Beach at Salcombe is among the award winners.

The other three beaches are Blackpool Sands, Challaborough and Bigbury-on-Sea, all privately owned, although South Hams District Council’s partnership with the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) facilitates some of the beach services.

In order to qualify for a Blue Flag Beach award, the bathing water ata beach has to meet the highest category of cleanliness.The beaches must also have great facilities and be free of litter.

Cllr John Tucker, Leaders of South Hams District Council, said: “I’m delighted that our lovely beaches are being recognised in this way. Not only is this good news for our residents and tourists, it helps all the businesses in the area too.

“We are very proud of our beaches in the South Hams and you will need to travel a long way before you find such wonderful seascapes as we have here.”

Robin Toogood, South Hams AONB Manager, said: “It is great to see the exceptional quality of South Hams beaches being recognised on an international level. The Blue Flag awards are a great endorsement for tourism in the areas surrounding the beaches.”

Ends

043-11

Tuesday May 10, 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Come and connect.

South Hams Connect will be at Sainsbury’s in Dartmouth, helping residents and agencies to make connections on Wednesday May 18 10.30am – 1pm.

South Hams Connect is a multi-agency drop-in service. On Wednesday, a South Hams District Council Waste and Recycling officer will be available to answer all your questions and help you make the most out of recycling and composting.

Organised by South Hams District Council, the aim of South Hams Connect sessions are to take public services into communities making it easier for residents to talk to someone locally and ask questions.

Whether you are looking for more information about claiming housing and council tax benefit, have a query about home safety, want to find a parent and toddler group or need help choosing a training course, a Customer Services advisor from South Hams District Council will be able to chat to you.

Also attending on the day will be Community Voluntary Service (CVS) is dedicated to supporting local voluntary and community action by working with voluntary and community organisations in South Hams. Their advisor will be able to tell you about learning opportunities for individuals and groups.

LINk Devon will be there giving you the opportunity to influence your local health and social care services to make have access to whatever your needs are in that area.

Everyone is welcome.

The South Hams Connect team and agency representatives will be at Sainsbury’s Dartmouth from 10.30am to 1pm on Wednesday May 18

For more information about South Hams Connect please contact South Hams District Council, Customer Services on 01803 861234 or email customer.services@southhams.gov.uk

Ends

042-11

3^rd May 2011

Drop in and ask questions.

South Hams Connect will be at the Watermark Centre in Ivybridge on Thursday May 12.

Organised by South Hams District Council, the aim of South Hams Connect drop-in sessions are to take public services into communities, making it easier for residents to talk to someone locally and ask questions.

On Thursday May 12 10am to 12noon, specialist advisors will be available from Devon Age UK, South West Water and South Hams District Council Housing and Benefits department at the Watermark Centre.  

You can ask questions about a wide range of issues relating to people over 50 years of age. Devon Age UK will be able to provide clear and accurate information, assisting with tailor-made products and services.

Advisors from South West Water will be on hand to help with problems and queries about  services including water and sewerage, your account, metering, water conservation and general customer information.

The South Hams District Council Housing and Benefit team can answer all your questions about claiming housing and council tax benefit.

Your Community Police Officer will be at the South Hams Connect drop-in session too and will be very happy to meet members of the community and hear if you have any concerns.

Everyone is welcome, please do drop-in and ask questions.  

For more information about South Hams Connect please contact South Hams District Council, Customer Services on 01803 861234 or email customer.services@southhams.gov.uk

Ends

041-11.

3^rd May 2011

For more information please contact the Communications Office at South Hams District Council on 01803 861368, mobile 07773 426834 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Why not 'have a grow'?

South Hams residents are encouraged to ‘have a grow’ at home composting.

National Compost Awareness Week May 1 – 7 aims to encouragepeople who don't compostyet to get involved. Those already converted to composting could take another look at how they can do more. Lots of things can be composted - from fruit and vegetable peelings to egg shells and pet hair.

Did you know that as much as a third of UK household waste can be composted but it is thought thatonly 30%* of us compost at home. Of those who do, many say that they have never tried compostinggeneral household waste such asscrunched up or shreddedpaper or vacuum cleaner waste.

Compost is nature's way of recycling and helps toreduce the amount of biodegradable waste ending up in landfill. Vegetable peelings and garden waste which biodegrades in landfill breaks down in the absence of air and creates methane, a powerful global warming gas.

The same waste composted at home produces no methane and provides free fertiliser and soil improver that helps vegetable crops, shrubs and flowers to grow.

South Hams District Councilhas a variety of compost binsfor sale from just £12 each from Follaton House, Totnes or £14.50 delivered to homes throughout the South Hams. These compost bins are made locally in Devon from recycled plastic.

Roadshows will be visiting the following towns during May:-

Totnes May 14 – Totnes Community Action Day, Civic Hall. 10am – 2pm.

Dartmouth May 18 – Sainsbury’s car park 10.30am – 1pm

Ivybridge May 19 – Glanvilles Mill car park 9am – 4pm

Come and visit us for advice and information.  

For more information call South Hams District Council Environmental Services on 01803 861234 or go to www.southhams.gov.uk/recycling_and_rubbish.

*ICM research conducted for WRAP in March 2009.

Ends

040-11

28^th April 2011.  

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

What voters need to know for Thursday 5 May

With district and parish elections plus the UK-wide referendum on Thursday 5 May, South Hams District Council is reminding voters in South Hams what they need to know to have their say on polling day:

• Polling stations will be open from 7am – 10pm.  You should have received a card with details of your local polling station.
• When voting at a polling station, it’s helpful to take your poll card with you.  But if you don’t have it, don’t let that stop you – you can still vote as long as you are registered.
• Polling station staff will not be able to give you ballot papers after 10pm, so do arrive in good time.
• The referendum is on the voting system used for elections to the UK Parliament and the question being put to voters on Thursday 5 May is: “At present, the UK uses the ’first past the post’ system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the ‘alternative vote’ system be used instead?”
• If you applied for a postal vote, it needs to be received by the Return Officer by 10pm on Thursday 5 May.  If you have left it too late to post back, you can drop it off at your polling station or South Hams District Council, Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes TQ9 5NE.

For more information, visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Ends.

039-11

21^st April 2011

Free Park & Ride in Dartmouth for Residents’ Parking Permit Holders.

Good news for South Hams residents who buy a Resident’s Parking Permit from South Hams District Council this year.

Anyone who has bought an annual South Hams Resident’s Parking Permit for £21.00 from South Hams District Council this year, will notice that there are two discs to the permit.

The large disc is to be displayed on the windscreen of your car. The small Park & Ride disc can be used if you take advantage of the Park & Ride bus service into Dartmouth.

The small Park & Ride disc should be shown to the bus driver of the Park & Ride bus.

Use of this permit in the Dartmouth Park & Ride car park entitles you to free parking and free trips on the Park & Ride bus.

This means that during the busy summer time in Dartmouth, instead of battling with traffic and searching for parking spaces, permit holders can now park in the Dartmouth Park & Ride car park when the Park & Ride bus is in operation and take the bus into town – free.

Please note this special condition does not apply during Dartmouth Regatta week.

For more information about Residents’ Parking Permits at the cost of £21.00 please call South Hams District Council, Customers Services on 01803 861234

Ends

038-11

14^th April 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

April 14th last day to register to vote!

With local elections and a UK-wide referendum taking place on Thursday 5 May, South Hams District Council is urging voters to make sure they are registered to vote in time.

“The deadline to register is Thursday 14 April so if you’re not already registered, don’t delay,” says Mark Seymour, South Hams District Council Returning Officer. It only takes a few minutes:  call 01803 861234 or print off the form from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

“Don’t let the deadline and the chance to have your say pass you by!”

The Electoral Commission, the independent elections watchdog, is sending a booklet to every household in the UK with information about how to have your say on 5 May.

The referendum is on the voting system used for elections to the UK Parliament.  The question being put to voters on Thursday 5 May is: “At present, the UK uses the ’first past the post’ system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the ‘alternative vote’ system be used instead?”

Ends  

036-11

11 April 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Notes to editors

1.  A person can register and vote in English local government elections if they are on the electoral register and are:

• Aged 18 or over on polling day (A person can register once they are 16 but cannot vote until they are 18)
• A British citizen
• A qualifying Commonwealth citizen
• A citizen of the Irish Republic
• A citizen of another European Union (EU) member state

2. A person can register and vote for in a referendum if they are on the electoral register and are:

• 18 years of age or over on polling day (A person can register once they are 16 but cannot vote until they are 18)
• A British citizen
• A qualifying Commonwealth citizen
• A citizen of the Irish Republic

Help is at hand to make the connection

South Hams Connect will be in Dartmouth, helping residents and agencies to make connections on Wednesday April 20  

Organised by South Hams District Council, the aim of South Hams Connect sessions are to take public services into communities making it easier for residents to talk to someone locally and ask questions.

South Hams Connect is a multi-agency drop-in service. On Wednesday, specialist advisors will be available from South Hams District Council to talk and guide you through Council Tax, Housing and Housing Benefits questions.  

Whether you are looking for more information about claiming housing and council tax benefit, have a query about home safety, want to find a parent and toddler group or need help choosing a training course, a Customer Services advisor from South Hams District Council will be able to chat to you.

Everyone is welcome.

The South Hams Connect team and agency representatives will be at Sainsbury’s Dartmouth from 10.30am to 1pm on Wednesday April 20

For more information about South Hams Connect please contact South Hams District Council, Customer Services on 01803 861234 or email customer.services@southhams.gov.uk

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035-11

8^th April 2011

For more information please contact the Communications Office at South Hams District Council on 01803 861368, 01803 861369 mobile 07773 426834 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Help is at hand to make the connection

South Hams Connect will be in Ivybridge, helping residents and agencies to make connections on Thursday April 14.

Organised by South Hams District Council, the aim of South Hams Connect sessions are to take public services into communities making it easier for residents to talk to someone locally and ask questions.

South Hams Connect is a multi-agency drop-in service. On Thursday, specialist advisors will be available from Devon Wheels 2 Work, the agency who offer long term motorcycle and moped loans to enable access to employment, training and social opportunities.

Advisors from LINk Devon (Local Involvement Network) will be there to give you the opportunity to influence your local health and social care services and this is a chance to meet your local Neighbourhood Police Officer.

Whether you are looking for more information about claiming housing and council tax benefit, have a query about home safety, want to find a parent and toddler group or need help choosing a training course, a Customer Services advisor from South Hams District Council will be able to chat to you informally and guide you.

The South Hams Connect team and agency representatives will be at Ivybridge Library, Watermark, Ivybridge from 10am to 12pm on Thursday April 14.

For more information about South Hams Connect please contact South Hams District Council, Customer Services on 01803 861234 or email customer.services@southhams.gov.uk

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034-11

8^th April 2011

For more information please contact the Communications Office at South Hams District Council on 01803 861368, mobile 07773 426834 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Short amnesty for unregistered scrap metal dealers

Unlicensed scrap metal dealers operating in the South Hams are being given an amnesty period to get themselves registered and licensed by the end of May - or they may face prosecution.

Collecting scrap metal is becoming increasingly common particularly in the current economic crisis and more recently there have locally been reports of metal thefts from churches, schools and other property. Equally, some individuals are cold calling householders and taking away scrap metal.

South Hams District Council is proposing to allow an amnesty period until Tuesday May 31 for any unlicensed scrap metal dealer to register with the council. Registering with the authority will ensure compliance with all current legislation relating to anyone who acts in the course of a business connected with scrap metal and salvaged or scrapped cars.

However, once the amnesty is over, anyone not then compliant with the registration requirements will be deemed to be acting illegally and may be liable to prosecution. Fines range from £200 to £5,000 depending upon the specific offence and the Council would have to consider whether they should keep their licence.

Licensing and registration requirements vary according to the nature of the business. Anyone involved in the scrapping or salvaging of motor vehicles generally requires a licence as a motor salvage operator. Anyone dealing only in scrap metal will generally only need to be registered. Both will require to be registered as waste carriers and be able to produce a licence as proof.

The council, as well as the police, has certain rights of entry into places where scrap metal is stored and other scrap metal operations take place. Using this power, it is likely that anyone involved in the scrap metal business will be visited and so compliance by way of registration is recommended.

Anyone with any queries about licensing or registration requirements, or needing any specific advice, should contact the licensing department at South Hams District Council on 01803 861234  

Ends

033-11

April 4, 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Where will you be on Thursday 5 May?

With district, town and parish council elections taking place and the first UK-wide referendum in over 30 years taking place on Thursday 5 May, South Hams District Council is urging voters in South Hams to be ready to have their say.

The referendum is on the voting system used for elections to the UK Parliament.  The question being put to voters on 5 May is:

“At present, the UK uses the ’first past the post’ system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the ’alternative vote’ system be used instead?”

With several bank holidays coming up, residents who are going to be away on 5 May can also apply to vote by post or by proxy.

Mark Seymour, South Hams District Council’s Returning Officer said:  “Now is the time to make sure you are registered to vote before the deadline on Thursday 14 April and to apply for a postal or proxy vote. You can call the Customer Services team at South Hams District Council on 01803 861234, or print off the forms from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

“People don’t always realise that they can have their say in different ways, including by post or by asking someone you trust (a ‘proxy’) to cast your vote for you.   So if you are going to be away on Thursday 5 May, take a few minutes now to make sure your voice will still be heard.”

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Ends

032-11

31^st March 2011

Notes to editors

1. A person can register and vote in English local government elections if they are on the electoral register and are:
2. Aged 18 or over on polling day (A person can register once they are 16 but cannot vote until they are 18)
3. A British citizen
4. A qualifying Commonwealth citizen
5. A citizen of the Irish Republic
6. A citizen of another European Union (EU) member state
7. A person can register and vote for in a referendum if they are on the electoral register and are:
8. 18 years of age or over on polling day (A person can register once they are 16 but cannot vote until they are 18)
9. A British citizen
10. A qualifying Commonwealth citizen
11. A citizen of the Irish Republic

Dartmouth Lower Ferry – new prices begin April 1^st

Price changes begin on April 1 on the Dartmouth Lower Ferry  - and the good news is that the cost of concession books will go down by £1.00

The £6 return fare stays the same as this year and all cash prices remain the same, the exception being for single journey by a car/van/commercial up to 3500 kgswhich goes up to £4.

Concession book prices go down by £1.00 and are now as follows:-

Foot passengers £21

Motorcycle          £10

Car/van/commercialup to 3500 kgsx 10 journeys £14

Car/van/commercial up to 3500 kgs x 20 journeys £24

A new concession book has been introduced for 40 journeys and is priced as follows:-

Car/van/commercial up to 3500 kgs x 40 journeys £45

Visitors towing caravans are charged for the length of space they take. This means that a car and caravan will take two spaces and be charged either £4.00 per space for a single journey or £6.00 per space for a return journey.

Details of the Dartmouth Lower Ferry can be found on the South Hams District Council website www.southhams.gov.uk

Ends

031-11

31.03.11

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

More Leaders, more walks

Fourteen new volunteer walk leaders have now been trained to help with the very successful Walk and Talk scheme in the South Hams.  As a result of this training, Kingsbridge is now starting a monthly led walk on a Saturday.

The new venture is being set up by a volunteer who would like to offer this weekend opportunity for people in the local community.  The walks will be held on the second Saturday of every month, starting on Saturday April 9, and meeting at the Bandstand in Kingsbridge at 10.00am.  The walk will take between an hour and a half and two hours and will finish back at the Bandstand.

Walk and Talk Extra has now produced their new programme of Monday walks for the Spring and Summer and, thanks to the new leaders, are able to offer walks of different levels to suit different needs.  Leaders will also be helping with three walks on Wednesdays, encouraging and assisting people who currently do little or no exercise for a variety of reasons, as well as offering them different levels to progress to

Kate Wright, Walk and Talk scheme co-ordinator said: “Now is a great time to get involved with Kingsbridge Walk and Talk.  The walks are a great way to improve your health and meet new people.”

Walk and Talk is a partnership between South Hams District Council and Volunteer Centre South Hams. Health walks are free to everyone and provide an easy way of getting regular exercise.  There is compelling evidence of the benefits of moderated physical activity.  Those who exercise enjoy greater life expectancy with reduced risks of coronary heart disease; stroke; hypertension; Type 2 diabetes; colonic cancer and osteoporosis.  Walking can also be a catalyst for connecting people with many other aspects of health, such as healthy eating, stopping smoking and relaxation

Anyone wanting to walk with any of the local groups which run in Kingsbridge, Dartmouth, Ivybridge, South Brent and Totnes or train as a Volunteer walk leader please contact Kate Wright,  on 01822 813571,  07920 786505 or e mail kate.wright@southhams.gov.uk .    Visit www.wfh.naturalengland.org.uk for more details.

The Walk and Talk Walking for Health scheme is supported by Devon County Council, Natural England and NHS Devon.

Ends

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March 25, 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team

   on 01803 861368/9, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Grand opening of Brix Stix play space, Brixton

Saturday (March 19) saw the grand opening of a fantastic new natural timber play space in Brixton.

The Friends of Brixton Play Space Group have been working tirelessly for more than two years to bring about a wonderful project that has seen the old play equipment in their local park replaced with an exciting and challenging new timber play area costing £30,000.

Designed by Caroline Curtis of Eden Design Ltd and built from locally sourced timber by Earth Wrights Ltd, the play space has a large wooden multi-play unit with slide, climbing wall and rope nets which link to the beautiful Fairy Playhouse along timber logs and balancing beams.

South Hams District Council’s Landscape Officer Alex Whish said: “Play is about exploration and creativity and this play space has seen an amazing transformation with new and modern equipment that allow children to seek out different types of challenges and risks as they play within a natural, green space.”

Chairman of South Hams District Council, Cllr John Baverstock announced to the crowd of excited children his congratulations on such a great project and the success of the Brixton community in making it happen. He followed this by officially revealing the new name for the play area as Brix Stix, chosen from a short list drawn up by local children.

This space forms part of a Play Trail throughout the village linking its public green spaces and finishing at a Tor Homes play space, also planned for great improvements! The Trail is about bringing the Brixton community together through healthy exercise and play, with activities for all ages, from toddlers to older residents.

The ribbon was cut by Brixton Parish Councillor Liz Hitchens who thanked all those involved in funding and supporting the project.  The opening event was supported by Pips Veg and the Riverford Farm shop, with the Children’s Play Bus from Ivybridge showing children how to plant vegetables.

This is the 32^nd play space to be completed as part of South Hams District Council’s Public Space Improvement Programme. Over £2 million of District Council and community secured funds have created many new exciting play spaces throughout the South Hams with more to be completed shortly.

Ends

028 -11

March 21, 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Act now to ensure you can vote on May 5

More than 68,800 people are registered to vote in the South Hams according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics.

But residents who are not registered are being urged to act now to ensure they have a vote on Thursday May 5 for the district, town and parish elections and the UK referendum on the voting system for United Kingdom parliamentary elections.

South Hams District Council Returning Officer Mark Seymour is advising residents to register as soon as possible. He said: “Anyone who has moved house in the past few months needs to register with their new address.”

Residents can request a registration form by calling the Customer Services team at South Hams District Council on 01803 861234, collecting a form from the South Hams District Council offices at Follaton House, Totnes, or by printing off a form from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and forwarding it to the council by April 14 to be effective for the May 5 elections.

Adrian Green from the Electoral Commission, the independent elections watchdog, added: “Residents may also be planning to be away on May 5, given the extra Bank holiday for the Royal Wedding. So it’s worth applying now to vote by post or proxy if that will suit your plans. You can print off the forms from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk  It just takes a few minutes.”

Completed postal vote applications must be received by the council’s elections office at Follaton House, Totnes by 5pm on Thursday April 14 and completed proxy vote applications by 5pm Thursday April 21.

For anyone wishing to stand as a candidate for the district, town and parish elections, nomination packs are now available from the elections office who can be contacted on 01803 861434.

Ends

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Monday March 14, 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Pay by direct debit and help the Great Daffodil Appeal

As council tax bills land on door mats around the South Hams, residents will notice that they have the opportunity to help Marie Curie Cancer Care through paying by direct debit.

The cancer charity’s Great Daffodil Appeal could benefit by almost £3,000 if everyone in the South Hams paid their council tax in this way.  

This Spring, BACS, the people behind direct debits, will be working together with a number of organisations including banks, utility companies and local authorities to help raise funds forthe Appeal.

South Hams District Council has already signed up to this scheme and has pledged 20p for every household which signs up to a new direct debit. Currently, 14,400 households in the South Hams pay their council tax by cheque. If they all chose to pay by direct debit then £2,880 could be donated to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The council can save money too, as cheques cost more to deposit than direct debit transactions.

The Great Daffodil Appeal campaign also offers an incentive to customers switching to direct debit as their names will be entered into a prize draw with the chance to win a car.  

Just £20 pays for a Marie Curie nurse to provide care and dignity to the terminally ill for one hour. Helping the Appeal by almost £3,000 would be a huge boost to the charity. The prize draw closes on April 30 2011.

Ends

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Date: Thursday March 9, 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Plympton man ordered to pay more than £1,000 for fly tipping

A 38-year-old Plympton man who fly tipped a car load of waste just yards from Ivybridge Recycling Centre has been ordered to pay more than £1,000 by Torbay Magistrates today. (Tuesday March 8).

Matthew Keith Perrott of Westfield pleaded guilty to depositing controlled waste contrary to Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The court heard that Perrott dumped carpets and other household waste including a kitchen knife, on the sliproad from the A38 at Ivybridge, close to the town’s recycling centre.  

Perrott told officers from South Hams District Council that he had been on his way to the centre in his car when he had a puncture. He said that by the time he replaced the wheel it was raining hard so he left the rubbish on the grass verge.

Perrott appeared before magistrates in custody as a warrant for his arrest had been issued after he had failed to appear at a previous court hearing.

He was fined £300 plus a £15 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £770 in costs.

After the hearing, a South Hams District Council spokesman said: "We will continue to pursue those who show a blatant disregard for the countryside and the environment of the South Hams.

“We are pleased with the result of this court case and in particular the recognition by the court as to the council's costs in clearing up and investigating offences of fly tipping.”

Information regarding fly tipping can be reported in confidence on the council's street scene confidential hotline on 01803 861262

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Date: Tuesday March 8, 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Toys teach geography

Role play is very important at Yealmpton pre-school.  To help children learn about different people and places in the world, toys were needed and funding was needed to buy them.

Thanks to a grant from Cllr Keith Baldry of £500.00 multi-cultural equipment has been bought for the play area.

Laura Farleigh, Supervisor at Yealmpton pre-school said: “Thanks to this grant from Cllr Baldry’s SCLF fund we have been able to buy dressing up clothes, dolls and pretend food. The role play area is one of the most important areas in pre-school and it helps to develop the children’s imaginations, social skills, knowledge and understanding of the world. These additions to our play area meet with the Early Years Foundation Stage targets to maintain our OFSTED outstanding grade.”

In April 2009 a fund was set up by the district council for councillors to use to support good ideas which would benefit the community. The Sustainable Community Locality Fund (SCLF) is a resource which gives each district councillor a budget of £1,000 to help and encourage community vibrancy.

Cllr Baldry said: “Yealmpton pre-school is run by a charity and managed by a committee of local parents. The young children and their families will benefit from this project which will contribute to community vibrancy. This is exactly what the SCLF fund was set up to do, help local community projects.”

If you think your group’s idea will make a positive difference in the community then all you have to do is make contact with your local councillor. Tell them all about your project and they will guide you through the application process. Decisions are made within a couple of weeks.

To find contact details for your local councillor see the South Hams District Council website www.southhams.gov.uk

Ends

024-11

8^th March 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Have your say on conservation plan.

Local people have the opportunity to help protect the local conservation area and shape planning policy this month.

The Draft Dartmouth and Kingswear Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plan will be published for public consultation from March 14 to March 25.

Conservation Areas are defined in the Town and Country Planning as ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’.

The draft appraisals detail Dartmouth and Kingswear’s special features, illustrious history and dramatic setting on the Dart estuary as well as identifying important buildings, streets and open spaces such as Victoria Road and the Market, the bank of early 19^th century houses along Newcomen Road and Southtown, and the steep, tight townscape around Smith Street, Crowthers Hill and Above Town.

Taking in responses to research in 2008, the draft document also proposes a new boundary for the Dartmouth Conservation Area to include part of Victoria Road, Southford Road, the area around Ridge Hill and part of Warfleet Road, Southtown and Above Town.

Local people wishing to view and comment on the draft document can visit Dartmouth Town Library or Kingswear Post Office to read a hard copy document. The plan can also be accessed online at www.southhams.gov.uk/index/residents_index/ksp_development_and_planning/pln-conservation/conservarea_appraisals/consrv-dartmouth.htm or www.dartmouthtowncouncil.org

The plan is published for comments until March 25 and once adopted, will provide guidance for future development, enhancement and enforcement and will be given considerable weight in planning appeals.

Ends

023-11

8^th March 2011.

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Parishes benefit from funding.

The parishes of Frogmore, Sherford and East Portlemouth have all benefitted from funding from their councillor.

Cllr Julian Brazil has been able to help with two community projects by handing over £500.00 from his Sustainable Community Locality Fund (SCLF).

In April 2009 a fund was set up by the district council for councillors to use to support good ideas which would benefit the community. The (SCLF) is a resource which gives each district councillor a budget of £1,000 to help and encourage community vibrancy

Cllr Brazil said: “I was approached by the parish clerks of Frogmore, Sherford and East Portlemouth who needed funds for grit bins and salt so that they could be prepared in case we have another bad winter.

“This request fits in very nicely with the aim of South Hams District Council to support the localism agenda by enabling people to take more control in their communities.  I was delighted that I was able to respond to the issues raised in the recent parish cluster meetings and give £250.00 to each project.”

If you think your group’s idea will make a positive difference in the community then all you have to do is make contact with your local councillor. Tell them all about your project and they will guide you through the application process. Decisions are made within a couple of weeks.

To find contact details for your local councillor see the South Hams District Council website www.southhams.gov.uk

Ends

022-11

8^th March 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Schoolchildren put South Hams councillors in the spotlight!

South Devon schoolchildren swapped their classroom for the council offices when they met South Hams District’s Executive councillors and tackled them on some heavyweight issues.

The youngsters, from Harbertonford Primary School, sat in on part of a meeting of the council’s Executive and asked councillors questions about an array of topics including housing and finance.

The children, aged from seven to 11, are all members of their own school council and, according to head teacher Mrs Janet Ronson, they have a healthy interest in their local community.

Mrs Ronson said: “The children are interested to know how things happen and what they can do to make things better. As a school council, they take part in decisions in their own environment. But they had questions about the wider world and we felt that a visit to South Hams District Council would help them.”

Cllr John Tucker, Leader of South Hams District Council, has invited the school on a return visit to see how the council runs some of its services such as leisure facilities and recycling and waste.

He said: “I think it’s great that the children should have such an interest in their council to see how we operate and how we make decisions. I hope the children will spread the word to their parents and grandparents too, as the work of the council has an impact on everyone.”

Ends

021-11

March 4 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Coronation Park plans on show at the Guildhall in March

South Hams District Council is unveiling its improvement plan for Coronation Park in Dartmouth this month following major consultation with residents in Dartmouth.

The plan sets out three phases of improvement works over the next 12 months starting with a new children’s play space and revised layout at the south end, an upgraded dinghy park at the north end and improvements at the front of the park along the waterfront.

Funding for the project comes from South Hams District Council’s Public Space Capital Improvement Programme where already £1.9 million has been invested in improving more than 80 parks, play spaces and sport and recreation facilities across the district over the last two years. Additional money from local communities and other funding organisations has seen the total value of the improvements double to £3.8 million.

South Hams District Councillor, Jonathan Hawkins said:  “People in Dartmouth strongly value and cherish Coronation Park as an open space. It has the potential for greater use by both locals and visitors with the new and improved facilities. We are particularly delighted to be providing an exciting new children’s play space, which will become a real focal point in the town.”

Council officers who have been working on the plan have taken on board the community’s wish to keep an open space at the heart of the park, for sports, games and general running about, as well as protecting the area for events such as the Regatta. Improvements to the park are being kept to the perimeter.

Proposals over the last year to provide a multi purpose water sports centre at the north end of the park, which would have housed local clubs as well as a relocated RNLI base, have had to be abandoned as hoped-for funding became unavailable.

Phase 1 of the plans for the south area to include a revamped children’s play space for toddlers and juniors, will start this spring. Phase 2 of the works in the northern part of the park, will include upgrading the dinghy park which will be carried out in conjunction with building the new slipway. Work in this area is scheduled to begin in the autumn.  Landscaping improvements to the front and waterfront area will be carried out in winter 2011/spring 2012 and will be the final phase of the works.

The District Council’s Public Space Capital Improvement Programme has brought many improvements to Dartmouth including the new play space at Collingwood Road at Townstal, the skate and youth facility adjoining the leisure centre at Norton, the restoration of the woodland gardens at the Castle Estate, and improvements that are underway in Royal Avenue Gardens.

Copies of the Coronation Park plans can be viewed at The Guildhall, Dartmouth, between now and the end of the month.  

Ends

020-11

3^rd March 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Help roadshows to fly

Devon Air Ambulance Trust road shows need volunteers to raise their profile help raise funds and ensure that they keep flying.

Cllr John Baverstock, Chairman of South Hams District Council is hosting road shows around the South Hams as follows:-

25 March-Civic Square, Totnes

15 April - Dartmouth Royal Avenue Gardens, Dartmouth

28 April -Kingsbridge Market, The Quay, Kingsbridge

Cllr Baverstock said : “The events will be opened at around 9.00 a.m. at each venue and we hope that the public will come along and learn all about the excellent service that Devon Air Ambulance Trust provide.

“To be able to man the stand, talk to people and spread the word, we need volunteers. Anyone who has some spare time and an interest in Devon Air Ambulance, please contact Debbie at Devon Air Ambulance Trust on 01392 466666 ext 222”.

Ends

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3^rd March 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Work begins at Kingsbridge Memorial recreation ground.

South Hams District Council engineers have begun a maintenance programme at Kingsbridge Memorial recreation ground to resolve the problem of flooding.

This involves the replacement of the old worn-out system of pipes and valves, which are intended to prevent the ingress of salt water at high tide while allowing rainwater to drain out at low tide. High tides can be in excess of a metre and a half above the level of the recreation ground.

The replacement system will not necessarily prevent flash flooding during heavy storms and there may still be some seepage of salt water under the porous foundations of the road, however the hope is that the worst of the flooding will be prevented.

Once successful, the low lying area will be replanted with saline tolerant grasses and the old fountain in the pond will be restored.

New buttresses are also being built to prevent the wall on the northern boundary between the Cottage and the Promenade from collapsing.

Mike Howarth, South Hams District Council Local Ward Member said: ‘These works are part of a £1.9 million investment in parks and open spaces in the South Hams by the district council. Kingsbridge Memorial recreation ground has already benefited from an excellent new play area with refurbished tennis courts and significant improvements are also scheduled for Duncombe Park.

“I should like to pay tribute to the way in which Officers at South Hams District Council, members of Kingsbridge Town Council and the Kingsbridge Playspaces Group have worked together to deliver these much needed improvements.”

Finally, subject to planning approval, work will be undertaken on the old toilet block. This building is to be converted to a kiosk for serving light refreshments and will include a small decked area outside accommodating three or four tables. A franchisee will be sought to operate the kiosk during the summer. A unisex and disabled toilet will also be retained for users of the area.

If all goes well, it is hoped that all this work will be complete by Easter 2011.

Ends

017-11

23^nd February 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Exercise Watermark will be taking place across the UK between 4 -11 March 2011 and Dartmouth will be taking part.

On Thursday 10 March 2011, Dartmouth Town Council, emergency services, South Hams District Council and Devon County Council, together with local responders will be part of a table-top exercise to test the response to a failure of the boat float gates and/or torrential rain/surface water which could result in flooding of Dartmouth town centre.

Climate change will increase the likelihood of flooding in the future which cannot be prevented but can be prepared for. Exercises across the country will test players in dealing with surface water, river and reservoir failure right through to tidal flooding.

This will be an opportunity to discuss ways in which Dartmouth Town Council can support agencies prior to, during and after flooding as laid out in their recently produced emergency plan.

Ends

018-11

2^nd March 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Suspended prison sentence and fine for fly tippers.

South Hams District Council has secured one conviction against a fly tipper, which has led to a prison sentence of four months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. On the same day a second fly tipper was brought to court and fined £250 and ordered to pay costs of £241

At Torquay Magistrates Court on 18 February 2011, James Martin Smith from Plymouth was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months for two instances of fly tipping at Westlake and Ugborough in early 2010.

In addition to the suspended sentence, the Bench also handed down a 150 hour community service order, a 12 month supervision order and awarded costs to the Council in the sum of £904.00.

Smith had pleaded guilty to both offences at an earlier hearing and sentencing had been postponed for pre sentence reports from the Probation Service. He was told by the Magistrates that he was given credit for his early guilty plea and as such his sentence was lower than he might otherwise have expected if he had been found guilty at trial.

The Bench noted that both fly tips had been dumped in the middle of public roads and presented a real danger to any road users until the local authority had cleared them away. One of the dumped loads contained asbestos which, due to its harmful nature, was earmarked as a very serious offence. The Magistrates found the offence even more serious because Smith had been trained in asbestos handling and had been involved in the asbestos removal and disposal business previously.

A spokesman for South Hams District Council said after the sentence was handed down: “The council has a zero tolerance policy on fly tipping. We live in a beautiful part of the country and will do everything in our power to keep the South Hams clear of fly tipping and recover our clean up costs.”

In the second case heard on the same day, Paul Andrew Gritton from Kingsbridge was fined £250 and ordered to pay £241 in costs after he pleaded guilty to dumping rubbish in a ditch on the outskirts of Kingsbridge.

He was given a discount on sentence for an early guilty plea. Gritton has initially been issued with a fixed penalty notice for littering and was only brought before the Court having initially denied the offence during the investigation phase.

South Hams District Council warns householders that they are potentially liable if they pass waste onto unlicensed carriers. See environment-agency.gov.uk for licensed waste carriers in your area or call South Hams District Council 01803 861234 for advice.

Ends

016-11

22^nd February 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368/9, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Mini goals for young Yealmpton footballers

Goal! for Yealmpton Football Club who, thanks to their councillor, have won a grant to buy mini soccer goals for use of the under 11’s.

Yealmpton Football Club needed funds for a project to make football accessible for all age groups from the village and surrounding area and thanks to a grant of £300.00 from Cllr Keith Baldry they are well on their way to scoring a goal in one.

Cllr Keith Baldy said: “In April 2009 a fund was set up by the district council for councillors to use to support good ideas which would benefit the community. The Sustainable Community Locality Fund (SCLF) is a resource which gives each district councillor a budget of £1,000 to help and encourage community vibrancy.

“I was delighted to be able to help the football club buy the mini soccer goals and much needed training equipment. This is exactly what the SCLF was designed to do”.

The club hope to run coaching sessions for all age groups, in a safe and friendly environment. Run by volunteers they are affiliated to the Devon FA and have a fully qualified FA coach and welfare officer.

Steve Roomes, Team manager said: “We learnt that we could approach our local councillor and discuss our project with him. It was easy to complete the SCLF application form, explaining that this money would support Community Vibrancy by engaging young boys and girls and their families in football sports.”

“We applied in September and by November the funds were allocated to us, we’re now well on our way to encouraging community engagement, fitness and social cohesion in the area.”

If you think your group’s idea will make a positive difference in the community then all you have to do is make contact with your local councillor. Tell them all about your project and they will guide you through the application process. Decisions are made within a couple of weeks.

To find contact details for your local councillor see the South Hams District Council website www.southhams.gov.uk

Ends

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17^th February 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Bonus for Permit Holders this summer

Good news for South Hams residents who bought a Residents Concessionary Permit this year. As an added bonus for this summer season, permit holders can use the Dartmouth Park & Ride service.

The Residents Concessionary Permit allows one car to park in any car park owned by South Hams District Council from 4pm to 10am for only £21.00 per year (incl VAT).

South Hams District Councillors agreed at their last full council meeting on February 10^th to extend the Terms and Conditions of this permit as a trial concession during summer 2011. As an extra bonus permit holders will now be able to park all day in the Dartmouth Park & Ride car park and up to six people per permit can use the Park & Ride bus.

Cllr Jonathan Hawkins said: “This is very good value indeed for South Hams residents. For just £21.00 per year they can park overnight in all car parks owned by South Hams DistrictCouncil and now,during the busy tourist season, permit holders will be able to take full advantage of the Park & Ride service in Dartmouth in summer.”

Permits issued this year will feature two discs, one to be displayed on the dashboard of the car for parking and the other tobe shown to the bus driveron theDartmouth Park & Ride bus. Theserviceruns from 8.00 am to 7.00pm, April to October.

For more information and an application form for a Residents Concessionary Permit see the South Hams District Council website www.southhams.gov.uk or telephone Customer Services on 01803 861234

Please note that these permits cannot be used during the Dartmouth Regatta Week.

Ends

014-11

16^th February, 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team

on 01803 861368/9, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Air Ambulance supported by brain teasers

The Charity Quiz Night held in aid of Devon Air Ambulance Trust last week, was a complete sell out and raised a massive £860.00  

The Chairman of South Hams District Council, John Baverstock who hosted the evening was delighted with the turnout and said: “I want to thank everyone who came along on Tuesday to show their support. The evening was a great success and I am only sorry that some people were turned away as the event was sold out the day before.  

Thanks also to the Royal Seven Stars Hotelfor the generous donation of their ballroom and Cllr Judy Westacott who as quiz master kept those brain teasers coming.”

Competition was intense and The Lemmings won the night with a magnificent score of 92, Scrambled Eggheads coming second with 91 and The Occasionals with 90.5. A good night was had by all.

Ends

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16^th February 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team  01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Plymouth Urban Fringe Consultation

South Hams District Council, Devon County Council and Plymouth City Council are producing a plan for the edge of Plymouth, known as the Urban Fringe – the area where the city meets the countryside of South Hams.

The new plan will look for ways to protect and enhance landscape and green areas and bring forward proposals which help to create sustainable linked communities.

The plan will cover thearea around Plymouth’s boundary, including Woolwell, Roborough, Bickleigh, Hemerdon and Langage and consider both ways to protect and enhance the landscape setting of Plymouth as well as opportunities for development.

Workshops were held in October 2009 to gather people’s views and ideas for this area.  The results of this consultation have been used to draw up a series of 5 issues and preferred optionsconsultation leaflets which are due to be published for consultation on 16 February 2011 for six weeksto 30 March.Leaflets are being prepared for Woolwell, Roborough, Bickleigh, Hemerdon and Langage to help involve the community in the process. These will be accompanied by a leaflet providing general information about the plan, theconsultation and a response form for people to make comments.

There will be two consultation eventswhere there will be display material andofficers available to answer any questions. These events are planned for:

• Tuesday 1 March, 2 - 7pm at Hemerdon Village Hall
• Thursday  3 March, 2 - 7pm at Woolwell Community Resource Centre

There is also a programme of consultation events drawn up for Plymouth as part of the Sustainable Neighbourhoods Plan. Details of these events are available at www.plymouth.gov.uk/LDF

The new plan will be the latest addition to South Hams District Council’s growing Local Development Framework (LDF). It will identify sites for about 500 new homes and 20 hectares of new employment land.

For more information contact:

Graham Swiss, Forward Planning Manager, South Hams District Council 01803 861202

Richard Grant, Spatial Planning Co-ordinator, Plymouth City Council 01752 304331

BACKGROUND

The Plymouth Urban Fringe Plan - Process

Publication of plan for final comment (autumn 2011)

Submission (spring 2012)

Examination (summer 2012)

Adoption (by end of 2012)

Ends

012-11

15^th February 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications team

01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Praise heaped on South Hams waste team

South Hams District Council’s recycling and waste collection crew has won praise from councillors for their dedication and professionalism during the bad weather over the Christmas and New Year period.

Despite the atrocious weather conditions, coupled with the series of bank holidays in late December and early January, the management and crews of the waste collection team provided an almost uninterrupted service to South Hams residents.

Councillors were unanimous in their praise at a recent council meeting. Chairman of the Council Cllr John Baverstock said: “Our refuse staff did a wonderful job in extreme weather conditions to ensure that South Hams communities had their recycling and bins collected on time. I would like to congratulate the crews and the team at South Hams for everything they did during this difficult period.”

Cllr John Tucker, Leader of the Council, added: “They did a job to make us all proud. We have probably had more compliments from the public – including town and parish councils - about the Christmas and New Year collections than any other issue. “

Ends

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February 14, 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

YES to funding

The Ivybridge branch of the Youth Enquiry Service (Y.E.S) will be able to move and refurbish their new office thanks to funding from South Hams District Councillors.

In April 2009 a fund was set up by the district council for councillors to use to support good ideas which would benefit the community. The Sustainable Community Locality Fund (SCLF) is a resource which gives each district councillor a budget of £1,000 to help and encourage community vibrancy.

YES has supported over 1,600 young people over the last fourteen years in the Ivybridge area. Issues have covered bullying, drug and alcohol, sexual health, family breakdowns, welfare rights, education, homelessness and housing. Young people are also linked into specialist services such as the Young Carers Project, Counselling Service, the Sexual Health Clinic and Supportive Housing Projects.

Katherine Mullan, Project Manager at Young Devon said: We are planning to relocate the Y.E.S project to our head office at the top of Ivybridge  town centre. We will be using the downstairs area which needs refurbishment and decorating. The existing premises are no longer fit for purpose,  staff and services are struggling for space to deliver effectively.

“The new location will be more visible to young people as currently we are situated at the end of a drive next to a residential house.”

Cllr Michael Saltern and Cllr Louise Jones considered the application for funding and agreed to contribute £500.00 each towards the move and refurbishment. Cllr Councillor Saltern said: “In these challenging times it is crucial that young people, parents and agencies know where they can access general and specialist youth support. By using our SCLF budgets we were able to support the Young Devon YES application for funding”.

If you think your group’s idea will make a positive difference in the community then all you have to do is make contact with your local councillor. Tell them all about your project and they will guide you through the application process. Decisions are made within a couple of weeks.

To find contact details for your local councillor see the South Hams District Council website www.southhams.gov.uk

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010-11

10^th February 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

South Hams District Council confirms council tax freeze for 2011-12

South Hams District Council is freezing its portion of the council tax for the next financial year to help hard pressed taxpayers through the tough economic climate.

The zero % council tax increase for 2011/12 means residents in an average band D property will continue to pay £134.52 - the third lowest council tax rate in Devon.

Despite the economic situation and a shortfall in funding from central government, the Council is continuing with its policy to reallocate resources to continually improve its key services to the public.

The Council has made budget savings of more than £700,000 in total and over the next year further savings will be made as more services are shared between the District Council and West Devon Borough Council

Furthermore, the Council is spending an extra £32,000 to continue the front line anti-social behaviour service and is making further grants to many voluntary sector organisations. For example, the South Hams Citizens Advice Bureau will receive an extra £10,000 for the next financial year, taking the charity’s grant from the Council to just over £50,000 to help meet the needs of local people affected by the economic downturn. CAB works closely with the Council’s housing and benefits teams to help provide independent debt and benefits advice to South Hams residents.

The Council will also continue to support the Villages in Action initiative with an £8,300 grant and Devon Youth Games with a £3,000 grant. It will also maintain its grant to the South Hams Community and Voluntary Services and will contribute £5,000 to the Against Domestic Violence and Abuse Partnership.

Cllr John Tucker, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: "We're showing our commitment to helping local taxpayers through these very difficult times. However, despite the cutbacks,  we are determined to retain and improve services rather than cut indiscriminately so we become even more efficient and effective in the years ahead. We are particularly keen to support our voluntary sector as so much good work is carried out by these organisations within our district. We find these organisations also help our residents when the economic climate is tough and as a Council, we need to help them too."

He added that residents should be aware that the South Hams portion of the council tax will be frozen for the next financial year but people may see their bills increase if other public sector bodies, including town and parish councils, decide to increase their council tax.

The decision to freeze council tax was confirmed by the Council at its meeting today. (Thursday February 10)

Council tax is collected by South Hams District Council on behalf of the district council, town and parish councils, the county council, the police and the fire and rescue service.

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For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07773 426834 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Grant increase to Citizens Advice Bureau to support Key Partnership

South Hams District Council is boosting its grant to the Citizens Advice Bureau by an extra £10,000 in the next financial year to help the charity meet the needs of local people affected by the economic downturn.

The Council already gives the CAB a regular annual grant of just over £40,000.

Now the Council’s Executive has just agreed to a further £10,000 to help towards funding a successful partnership initiative between the Council and CAB.

Since 2007, a South Hams CAB officer has been working closely with the Council’s housing and benefits teams to help provide independent debt and benefits advice to South Hams residents. The partnership has recently been highlighted by the Department for Community and Local Government as an example of good practice for other councils.

In the last three years the partnership has helped more than 750 people in the district assisting them in dealing with debt totaling just under £3 million. Through expert advice, the partnership team has also helped those in debt maximise their income by a total of more than £400,000.

Cllr John Tucker, Leader of South Hams District Council, said that supporting residents facing financial hardship due to the economic climate was crucial.

He said: “The work carried out by the partnership since 2007 has proved to be invaluable to hundreds of vulnerable people. Funding this initiative has led to a seamless service where those in need can receive independent prompt and accurate debt advice at the earliest possible opportunity.

“Every customer has a full benefits check too to make sure they are receiving the benefits they are eligible for to help maximise their income.

“The work with the CAB also means that our benefits staff has a little more capacity to respond to rising demands for help from some of our residents at this difficult time.”

Emma Handley, the manager of South Hams CAB, said the extra funding from the Council had come at a vital time. “We anticipate large increases in our services by people affected by welfare reform, cuts in public spending and the resulting effect on people's jobs, income and ability to maintain costs of living. We are very grateful to the Council for its help at this time.”

The partnership team also assists those who are under threat of losing their homes. In some cases, the team has prevented people from being made homeless through negotiating on a tenant’s behalf with landlords.

If you need debt advice or more information on benefits or housing, contact the South Hams Benefits Team on (01803) 861234 or email rev.bens@southhams.gov.uk

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Date 07.02.11

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Fly Tippers caught and convicted.

A Paignton man who fly tipped household rubbish in a pretty South Hams country lane has been fined £200 and ordered to pay costs of £250 by Torquay Magistrates Court.

The prosecution was brought by South Hams District Council following a spate of fly tipping in  around the Blagdon and Marldon areas during the summer of 2010.

The court heard that the offender, who pleaded guilty to a charge of illegally depositing waste had run a business for at least 8 years but was not a properly licensed waste carrier.  The waste discovered by officers of South Hams District Council was traced back to a householder in Torbay

In a separate incident, a Paignton resident was fined £100 and ordered to pay £275 costs after he allowed an unregistered waste carrier to take his rubbish away. The man who pleaded guilty was again prosecuted by South Hams District Council.

After the court hearings Cllr Jonathan Hawkins, Executive Member for a Clean Environment at South Hams District Council said: "“This case illustrates yet again that householders and businesses using private waste carriers must check thattheir rubbish is being disposed of by a properly licenced waste carrier."

“Before allowing anyone to take away rubbish, ask for details of their Waste Carriers Licence. Take down the registration number of the vehicle and ask for a receipt. If your rubbish is found fly tipped, you may be held responsible. If you cannot prove that all necessary precautions were taken to ensure the carrier was legitimate and that they were going to dispose of the rubbish in a responsible way, you will be prosecuted.”

South Hams District Counciloperates a zero tolerance policy in respect of fly tipping and associated rogue traders. Offenders will be prosecuted whenever possible. Any information can

be provided in confidence on the council's hotline 01803 861262.

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006-11

27^th January 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Improve your health – join Walk and Talk

The Walk and Talk Walking for Health scheme is going from strength to strength in the South Hams – new walkers and volunteer leaders wanted now.  

Totnes Walk and Talk is now two years old, it started with a few short health walks lasting half an hour. The word spread, local interest grew and a longer health walk was soon added to the weekly programme. Then two volunteers came to the Walk Leaders training day and started the Mystery Walk which is longer and a little more challenging. It starts from Victoria Short Stay car park in Totnes and is held on the third Sunday of each month to tie in with the Sunday Good Food Market.

Walk and Talk is a good way to take some exercise locally and meet new people. The groups are supportive and friendly. We want to spread the word – anyone can add more exercise into their lives. Begin with a short walk – just half an hour a day for five days a week will improve your health.  Keep that body moving, lose a little weight, recuperate from an operation or illness and chat to new people, all age groups welcome.

Kate Wright, Walk and Talk Co-ordinator said: “We are looking for more walkers and volunteers who would like to help with all the walks.  If you can spare an hour or so a week we would love to hear from you.  Full training is given and it is a great way to meet new people.  Our next training day is on February 10 in Totnes at Follaton House, so what a great time to get involved.”

South Hams Walk and Talk is a partnership between South Hams District Council and Volunteer Centre South Hams. Health walks are free to everyone and provide an easy way of getting regular exercise.  People who exercise enjoy greater life expectancy with reduced risks of coronary heart disease; stroke; hypertension; Type 2 diabetes; colonic cancer and osteoporosis.

Walk and Talk programmes are run in Totnes, Dartmouth, Ivybridge, Kingsbridge and South Brent for programmes and more details please call Kate Wright on 01822 813571, 07920 786505 or email kate.wright@southhams.gov.uk.  Visit www.wfh.naturalengland.org.uk

The Walk and Talk Walking for Health scheme is supported by South Hams District Council, Devon County Council, Natural England and NHS Devon.

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005-11

27^th January 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07773 426834 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

A Councillor ... Who me? ...

South Hams District Council is hosting an information evening later this month (January) for prospective district, town and parish councillors.

The event, in Totnes, is part of a campaign to attract more people to serve their community.

On May 5 2011, all 40 District Council seats will be up for election and the Council wants to make sure that people interested in the process know what they must do if they want to be a candidate.

A special leaflet – ‘A Councillor . . . Who Me?’ – has been put together by South Hams District Council giving people an idea of what would be expected of a councillor.

It gives a wide variety of useful information on everything from eligibility, training, clerical support, where meetings are held and time off work to carry out the responsibilities of a councillor.

The information evening will be held on 27 January 2011 at Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes TQ9 5NE in the Council Chamber at 7.00 p.m.

Darryl White, Member Support Services Manager at South Hams District Council said: “The sessions will be very informal and anyone interested is very welcome.

“We do get asked about the role of a councillor and we hope this evening will give people an opportunity to see what the job entails.”

South Hams District councillors, town and parish councillors and clerks are expected to attend the information evening to give first-hand advice to prospective candidates.

The District has 59 town and parish Councils and each seat on these authorities will also be open for election in May and will be held for a four year term.  

The election process begins in the South Hams with the publication of the Notice of Election. Nominations for Councillors must be submitted to the District Council by 12 noon on 4 April 2011

If you would like to obtain more information please contact Darryl White, Member Support Services Manager on 01803 861247.

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002-11

13^th November 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Village Hall is now cosy

Dartington Village Hall opened its doors on Saturday giving a warm welcome to all, celebrating the installation of its new heating system.

South Hams District Council contributed £500.00 towards this project. Val May, a member of the Dartington Village Hall Association who runs the events diary for the village hall said: “This used to be a very cold place indeed.  We were not able to hire out the hall to local groups as much as we would have liked and we did not have suitable kitchen facilities to offer.

“The Village Hall Association prepared bids for funding to South Hams District Council, Devon County Council and the Lottery and we were successful.  With the money raised we have been able to spend £8,000 on a new heating system. The new combi-boiler runs eight radiators in the main part of the hall and one in the brand new kitchen. We are now cosy and organisers of events will be able to use the brand new facilities in our kitchen to cater for their groups.“

Cllr Michael Hicks, the District Council’s ward councillor said: “I was happy to support the request for funding for a new heating system and kitchen at Dartington Village Hall. This type of project is exactly what the Sustainable Community Locality Fund (SCLF) is meant for and by releasing £500.00 to the organisers, they were able to approach other funding bodies and raise the money they needed for this project. The village hall is now a warmer place to be and I hope that local groups will enjoy using the hall.

On Saturday (January 8^th 2011) the new heating system was celebrated in true Dartington style with Matt Harvey setting the scene with the official opening. Workshops followed by Drum Crazy and children were then able to see a demonstration on Tai Chi for Children. Tea, coffee and flapjacks were on offer from the new kitchen and a good time was had by all.  

Anyone wanting to hire Dartington Village Hall should contact Val May Tel: 01803 862770

More information on how to bid for monies from your councillor’s Sustainable Community Locality Fund is available from the Community Development Officer at South Hams District Council Tel: 01803 861234

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11^th November 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Team on 01803 861368 or 861369, mobile 07971 997767 or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Works on the Kingsbridge Recreation Ground are underway.

A spokesman for South Hams District Council said: “The work at the Ground is part of an overall Public Space Improvement programme consisting of over 80 projects across the South Hams. The programme was funded initially with £1.9m from South Hams District Council and this has grown to over £3.8m with contributions from other grant sources and contributions across the District.

“The initial phase of works at Kingsbridge Recreation Ground included rebuilding of the tennis courts and complete refurbishment of the play spaces including the introduction of the adventure play area on the sloping land alongside. There have also been improvements to access, seating and bins around the park.

“To reflect the importance of the Recreation Ground a second phase of an additional £100,000 funding was identified by the District Council. Initially, this will be used to address the drainage works around the pond and buttressing the wall adjacent to the entrance which will be undertaken by Easter 2011. Beyond this the Council is in discussion with the Kingsbridge Park Bowls Club and Town Council over other improvement works within the park.

“At the same time the Council is continuing to deliver the remaining Public Space projects across the District. In Kingsbridge this has included the new skate park, play area improvements at Trebble Park, improvements around the Head of the Estuary and will include significant improvements at Duncombe Park also due by Easter.

“The projects in Kingsbridge have been planned in partnership with the Town Council and Kingsbridge Play Spaces Group who have been instrumental in providing additional funding and drawing in funds from elsewhere.

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S003-11

4th January 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Office on 01803 861368,861369 or 07971 997767 astoneham@westdevon.gov.uk or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Extra Security measures at Follaton House.

Due to the recent thefts of lead from the roof of South Hams District Council offices at Follaton House in Totnes, extra security has been introduced.

A spokesman for South Hams District Council said: Additional security measures were installed around Follaton House in November at acost of £14,500. This was in response to the recent thefts of lead from the building.

“The council does not wish to publicly identify all of the changes that have been made as this may reduce their effectiveness.

“It is impossible to fully protect a site such as Follaton House but the council believes that the new security arrangements will reduce the risk of further incidents involving the theft of lead."

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S002-11

4^TH January 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Office on 01803 861368, 861369 or 07971 997767 astoneham@westdevon.gov.uk or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Waste Collections – South Hams District Council.

Following delays to waste collections in the South Hams area due to the exceptional weather conditions prior to and over the Christmas period, the service is now back to normal schedules.

A South Hams District Council spokesman said: “We first started experiencing delays in waste collections on Friday 17th December due to the exceptional weather conditions and this continued until Friday 24th December.

“Collection crews attempted areas due for collections but on most occasions were unable to access side roads and estates where the majority ofhouseholds are situated.

“Supervisors were out checking missed areas daily (including bank holidays) and we managed to get collection crews into the missed areas later in the week.

“South Hams District Council was able to collect both brown bins and grey bins missed from 17/12/10- 24/12/10 over the following week 27/12/10 - 31/12/10. Extra resources were deployed where necessary.

“Residents were asked to keep dry recycling sacks until next collection day which will be this week.

As of yesterday we are back to normal schedules.“

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S001-11

4^th January 2011

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Office on 01803 861368,861369 or 07971 997767 astoneham@westdevon.gov.uk or email public.relations@southhams.gov.uk

Car Parks and Car Parking Costs

Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles’ recently pledged to end the war on motorists by allowing Local Authorities to charge cheaper parking costs.

Cllr John Tucker, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: " We have always had the freedom to set parking fees and we ensure that these charges are suitable for the areas concerned.

"From a planning perspective, I believe that a lot of residents and businesses would welcome more parking spaces for their areas."

For more information please contact South Hams District Council’s Communications Office on 01803 861368,861369 or 07971 997767 astoneham@westdevon.gov.uk or email public.relations@southhams.gov.ukEnds

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S000 -11

4^th January 2011

Council dress up for Pudsey

Strange things were going on at South Hams District Council today when Fred Flintstone and Deputy Dawg were seen.

To support Pudsey and raise money for Children in Need, staff at the council dressed up and baked cakes for the Great Follaton Bake off competition.

The Chairman John Baverstock and his wife Ann, supported by Vice Chairman Rufus Gilbert had the hard task of judging the cakes - during which a lot of tasting went on.  

The Development Management team won three categories - Healthy cakes, Man bake and also the Best-tasting cake.  The Cupcake category was won by the Finance department, the South Hamburger complete with marzipan chips made by Customer Services Team who won the Creative Cakes category .

Finally, the Chief Executive Richard Sheard judged the best fancy dress by the time proven  ‘clapometer’ method.  Sheer volume of clapping made Cllr Baverstock the winner dressed as Fred Flintstone and Dot Dixon, post room assistant from Customer Services came in second place.

£401.76 was the grand total collected for Children in Need.

19^th November 2010

102-10  

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