To support local communities, key workers and the NHS, South Hams District and West Devon Borough Councils have suspended parking enforcement in all of their pay and display car parks. With the exception of White Strand car park, where short stay restrictions still apply, to ensure that spaces are available for the pharmacy in Salcombe.

This decision protects both council enforcement officers, who may otherwise be at risk of contracting the virus, and key workers, as now they do not need to use the pay and display machines. South Hams District Council has also closed North Sands, Bigbury and Slapton car parks to discourage people from making unnecessary journeys. 

As parking charges have been suspended, there is currently no requirement for people to renew their parking permit.  Therefore, the councils have temporarily suspended the sale of parking permits. These will go back on sale when parking charges return.

Cllr Judy Pearce, Leader of South Hams District Council said: “Everyone has been told that they should be staying at home unless their journey is essential for work, food or medical reasons. Therefore we should not be seeing people using our car parks for pleasure and social activities.  Relaxing enforcement will make it easier for those essential workers who need to use our car parks.

Cllr Neil Jory, Leader of West Devon  Borough Council added: “If you do have to go out for essential supplies and medicines, can we ask you to please park sensibly in our Town Centres.  Please also bear in mind that leaving your car unattended in a carpark for a long periods of time, may mean that there are no spaces for key workers.”

Both Leaders said: “Please listen to the advice, stay at home and don’t put yourself and others at risk.”

I thought it would be useful for you to have a regular update on our waste and cleansing services during the current crisis. Like others, over the past few weeks we have been affected in many ways such as staff sickness/self-isolation, suppliers closing factories, re-processors unable to continue to sort our recycling, and not least by altering our practices to ensure we follow the latest Government guidelines.

In summary, and until further notice, the main changes are:

• Our waste and cleansing services are mainly operating as usual with the exception of bulky waste collections which have now stopped
• Our public toilets will all be closed by 30 March (our contractor has been supplied with keys for crews to use)
• DCC have closed the household waste recycling centres
• Salvation Army textile banks in car parks will no longer be emptied

Regarding the waste collection crews, additional safe working practices have been put into place such as, but not limited to:

• Cleansing of frequent touch points on vehicles such as steering wheels and hand rails
• Provision of additional PPE e.g. hand gels
• Promotion of good hygiene
• Maximum spacing inside cabs
• Social distancing in congregational areas

Following the instruction from the Government last Friday evening, on 20 March, to close all leisure centres and gyms in the UK, Fusion Lifestyle implemented a very successful closure of the centres to the public. This was carried out by staff in a very short space of time and the centres remain closed until further notice.

Fusion’s operational and central support teams are working intensively to manage the implications of these closures, as well as maintaining and securing the safe management of the leisure centres throughout the closedown period. The welfare and care for the staff and all the workforce is a priority and how this is managed during these difficult times.

For customers, Fusion who are a registered charity, are doing all they can to offer a great package of options for people to keep active and pay a small fee. This includes exclusive access to online fitness classes. Also a new website will be launched offering a fantastic range of fitness, health and nutritional information. As well a rolling free membership freeze option will be available and allow members to re-activate when the centres open again.

 Fusion wish everyone to keep active, healthy and stay safe at home.

What is the Devon Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund?

Devon Community Foundation has set up the Devon Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund to raise funds for local charitable groups that are supporting the most vulnerable people affected by the outbreak of Coronavirus.

Established in 1996, Devon Community Foundation is a unique organisation, privileged to be working alongside people who are motivated by wanting to make a difference across Devon. They use DCF's knowledge of local needs and the voluntary sector to manage high impact distribution of funds designed to achieve sustainable outcomes, awarding financial support on behalf of their Fund holders and donors, which enable local people to achieve inspiring change in their communities.

Click on the link below for more information.

In keeping you up-to-date and for information which can be shared with your Parish Councils we have now posted a Frequently Asked Questions on parking on our public facing COVID-19 Travel and Public Transport page which you can find on the link below.  (Final updates are being arranged now.)

Further to our previous DNP update, please find attached to this email bulletin, a detailed letter which was forwarded by Dartmoor National Park to all of their Town and Parish Councils which may be useful for our wider local councils. 

Apologies if you have already received this directly from DNP.