Today marks one year since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Council invites the South Hams Community to join them in this important day of reflection and pay tribute to the bravery of the Ukrainian people around the world.
Read more here.
A new business rates relief scheme for retail, hospitality and leisure properties which will support over 1,200 businesses in the district has been announced this week.
The District Council administers the scheme funded by the government, which was announced in the Autumn Statement late last year. They use their own discretionary powers to adopt a local scheme, which will reap the most benefit for their businesses.
The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Scheme will provide eligible, occupied retail, hospitality and leisure properties with 75% relief up to a cash cap limit of £110,000 per business for 2023/24.
Find out more on our website.
South Hams District Council has formally adopted proposals for second homeowners to pay a fair share of Council Tax. The proposals agreed will see second homeowners paying double the Council Tax amount for the area and was unanimously agreed by the Council on Thursday 16 February.
It means that the Council will adopt a 100% Council Tax Second Homes Premium as soon as legislation allows.
The Council declared a housing crisis in September 2021 and backed their declaration by a 12-point action plan. One of those actions included lobbying Government to allow local councils to be able to charge 200% Council Tax on second or holiday homes to ensure they contribute fairly towards the services they receive.
Their lobbying proved successful when in May 2022, the Government published the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, which included proposals, aimed at addressing the negative impact of second homes on the supply of homes available to meet local housing need.
The Bill proposes that councils will be allowed to introduce a Council Tax premium of up to 100% in respect of second homes, meaning second homes would pay double the amount of Council Tax for an area.
The Bill is likely to become law from 1 April 2024 at the earliest.
Visit out website to find out more.
On 16 February we laid out plans for how we will cope with the financial challenges of the year ahead, while doing everything in our power to help vulnerable people through the cost of living crisis.
The Full Council heard proposals on how we would set a balanced budget for 2023/24. To balance the budget of £11.7m, the Council has identified £2.4m in savings and additional income. However, the Council is still forecasting a £0.3m budget gap by 2024/25.
Councillors agreed to a small increase in Council Tax of £5 per year, amounting to an increase of less than 10p a week. This means a Band D property would pay £185.42 next year (2023/24) to the District Council for all of its services.
Recent changes to Government funding means the Council no longer receives any Government grant (Revenue Support Grant), a loss of £4 million per year, so the Council has to be self-sufficient to fund all of its services.
The budget agreed will leave the Council on a stable financial footing and will help the Council manage the uncertainty of the future reforms of Local Government finances, which are increasingly stretched.
Click here to find out more.
The Plymouth and South Devon Freeport has appointed Richard May as CEO and Jan Ward CBE as its new Chair.
Richard has held the role of interim CEO since last July and will officially take up his permanent role from the 1st March. He led the successful Freeport bid and is Senior Responsible Officer for its delivery. Previously, Richard managed marine investment for Plymouth City Council, that programme, named Ocean Futures, is a project that the Freeport will play a key part in.
Jan Ward CBE has been involved in international trade since the outset of her career and has always been a highly enthusiastic promoter of manufacturing and international trade as an economic driver for prosperity globally. Alongside her new role for the Freeport, Jan is currently a Director of the UAE-UK Business Council and a member of its Advisory Committee and holds a number of Non-Executive posts with manufacturing businesses.
These important appointments will continue to help steer the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport, which was given the green light by government last December following approval of its Full Business Case. As just one of eight Freeports in England, it will play a central role in unlocking investment opportunities, delivering infrastructure and promoting innovation both in the UK and globally.
The Council has launched a survey to find out what residents of the South Hams think of the number of electric car charging points across the district.
The online survey is part of our electric vehicle strategy. We're seeking opportunities to provide charging points for those who struggle to access them, or lack sufficient off-street home charging.
The survey is asking residents what actions the Council should take to help improve the number of charging points in the South Hams.
The survey, which runs until 17 March, is available online at: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/south-hams-ev-survey
To find out more about the Council’s electric vehicle strategy, visit: www.climatechange.southhams.gov.uk/ev-strategy
Are you passionate about your local community? Would you like to be involved in decisions that make a profound difference to the lives of those living here in the South Hams?
If this sounds familiar, we need you. Councillors make a huge difference to the quality of life of local people and how local issues are dealt with. The Council needs people from all backgrounds and experiences, to reflect the communities we serve, to put themselves forward for election.
Being a councillor is all about giving back to your community by bringing your energy, passion, and hard-working attitude. You can make a real difference to the local community and wider society in many ways as a councillor. For example, you could be representing the views of local people to ensure the community gets the right services, supporting a resident with an issue, or helping to shape the community by driving new ideas.
The role of councillor is a varied and highly fulfilling one. You don’t need any experience or special qualifications, and you’ll gain lots of new skills, experience, knowledge, and confidence. Councillors are paid an allowance and can work flexibly.
We are holding an event for prospective candidates who are interested in becoming Councillors at our offices on Thursday 16 March at 6.30 p.m.
You’ll find our offices at:
Follaton House,
Plymouth Road,
Totnes,
TQ9 5NE
Visit our website to find out more, including eligibility criteria and more: www.southhams.gov.uk/be-a-councillor
The Electoral Commission is hosting a pre-election webinar for candidates and agents taking part in the upcoming elections. A copy of the invitation is below, for you to share with anyone you know who may want to stand for election in your area. The Commission also plans to publish slides from the webinar shortly after the event. The Electoral Commission is hosting a pre-election webinar for candidates and their agents taking part in elections in England on 4 May.
The webinar provides an opportunity to gain essential information on the nomination process and the spending and donation rules, including information on:
- standing for election
- the nominations process
- when the spending rules apply
- how much you can spend
- notional spending rules
- who you can accept donations from
- what you need to report after the election
There will also be a chance to ask questions. If you have a specific question in advance, or topic you would like the Commission to speak about, please do get in touch before the event.
The webinar will take place virtually on Tuesday 7 March 2023 at 12pm – 1pm.
To confirm attendance please email Stuart Butler on: sbutler@electoralcommission.org.uk
Sign up and support a good cause today and not only will you be in with the chance of winning weekly cash prizes of up to £25,000, but if you enter before 25 March, you will be in with the chance of winning a trip to Center Parcs, all for just £1 a week!
A sporty break? A relaxing weekend in the forest? Quality family time? Whatever a holiday means to you, you could be making the most of springtime at Center Parcs - and supporting a good cause too!
SeaMoor Lotto is a lottery for the people, by the people. It’s a fun way to help good causes without giving up precious time.
Tickets are just £1 in the weekly draw, and you can choose exactly which good cause you would like your money to go to. More of your money goes to your chosen cause than with any other major lottery – you can see the exact breakdown, where every penny goes, on our website.
Unlike larger lotteries, the majority of your ticket purchase comes back into the community AND the odds of winning a prize are much better, at an amazing 50:1. It really is a win-win: even if you don’t win a cash prize you can be content in knowing that you are making a real difference!
Since its launch the SeaMoor Lotto has raised thousands of pounds for small charities -so why not join in? Visit our website to see which good causes you can support, and buy a ticket today: https://www.seamoorlotto.co.uk/
Learn Devon is offering many maths courses both online and in person to boost your skills for work and home!
Check out a selection of their courses below:
Online
- Maths top ups: Quadratic equations - 7 March, 1-3pm Book now
- Understanding basic tax - 17 March , 2-4pm Book now
Newton Abbot
- The language of maths (ESOL) - 6 March, 1-3pm Book now
Tavistock
- Countdown to Exams - 6 March, 6-8pm Book now
Take a look at the four projects Devon County Council is running to support businesses now:
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Get Set to Tender – If you want to win contracts from Local Government, this will help you to better understand procurement and tenders and enable you to bid for opportunities in the public sector – in turn supporting the local economy of the communities you work in. Workshops and 1-2-1 options available. Find more info and apply here.
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Get Set Adapt is delivering support for businesses across Devon to help them recover from the impacts of the pandemic and to build back better. We believe that through robust review and innovation of business models, we can help our clients to recover rapidly, and put them on the path to future growth and sustainability. Apply here.
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Devon Get Started – If you’ve identified a niche in the market for a business opportunity but lack the confidence and/or knowledge around starting up, then this programme will help! We’re offering practical support to turn your idea into a business or social enterprise. It’s mostly held online, making it easy to access. Apply here.
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Wellbeing Works is an exciting opportunity for Devon based businesses, employees and individuals to benefit from the tools, techniques and inspiration we need to prioritise and develop our wellbeing and resilience during the pandemic recovery period. More info here.
Remember that photo ID is now required when voting at polling stations! Local elections are taking place on the 4 May so make sure you have yours by 25 April.
This could be your passport, driving license or blue badge but there are a lot more documents that are accepted. Find out more about what photo ID is suitable on our website.
If you don't have photo ID you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, which is a free voter ID document.
Find out more on the Electoral Commission website.
Are you looking for a job this summer? ☀️
We're recruiting now for seasonal staff to fill a number of important jobs that will help us welcome visitors to the area and ensure they have the best time possible. These roles are often outdoors and out and about in the district.
Roles available include:
☀️ Locality Officer roles across the South Hams
☀️ Civil Enforcement Officers
☀️ Gardeners
☀️ Toilet Cleaners
☀️ Location Attendants on our Waste Team
Other summer roles, including working at Salcombe Harbour and Dartmouth Lower Ferry, will become available in the next few days and weeks. Keep an eye on our website for more.
Visit our website for more: https://jobs.swdevon.gov.uk/ - or WhatsApp us on 07458 049666.
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