 We have formally adopted our Council Plan for 2024 - 2028 with four top priorities we want to focus on.
We want to support climate change and biodiversity, tackle the challenging housing situation, strengthen the economy and enhance our services for residents.
Some of the projects we will be working on include more electric vehicle charging, more affordable and temporary homes, help with independent living support, improving energy efficiency, better public and leisure facilities and more planting of trees.
These are just some of the plans we have to help support our communities.
Find out more.
Despite difficult economic pressures, we have set a balanced budget for 2024/2025, helping us to support communities the best way we can.
A loss of £4 million per year in Government funding means that we have to now be independent when funding all of our services. To help keep our services running, residents will see a small increase in Council Tax of £5.54 per year, (2.99%).
Please remember when your Council Tax bill lands on your mat, we only keep a very small portion of it (8%) to help fund our services. Most of the council tax bill is distributed to our partner organisations such as Devon County Council, Police and Fire authorities and town and parish councils. This supports the District's wider adult social care needs, children’s services and road networks.
Our Council Tax Reduction Scheme already supports over 4,900 households across the District, helping those most in need reduce their bills. New changes to our scheme will now mean more support for self-employed residents and those with a disability or health condition which affects how much they can work.
Find out more.
You could get help worth £300 towards the cost of your energy bills by talking to our partners, Citizens Advice South Hams.
They can help with complex energy billing issues, resolving matters directly with energy providers; help you deal with energy supplier issues, including billing and meter problems; help you understand how to make your home more energy efficient and look at fuel bills and household finances to help save money.
All support from Citizens Advice is free, independent and confidential.
Find out more.
Do you run a village hall? Are you looking to make some improvements but can't afford the costs?
The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) funded grant scheme for those managing rural community buildings has now reopened with lower thresholds for smaller projects such as disability access, toilet upgrades and new kitchens.
Grants of between £2,000 and £5,000, and up to 20 per cent of eligible project costs, are on offer to new applicants.
Find out more.
No plans tomorrow?
All Fusion leisure centres here in the South Hams are offering you and your families FREE taster sessions this Saturday, 24 February.
Try your hand at Power and Lift, Zumba and HIIT workouts or make a splash in the pool with a Wet and Wild session or lane swim.
There are also FREE gym sessions all day.
Find out more on the Fusion Lifestyle app or find your nearest centre for a full programme.
Do you have a passion for nature and protecting our natural environment?
National Landscapes are looking for a skilled Project Manager to lead their 'Life on the Edge' project. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project aims to restore species-rich grasslands to secure a positive future for some of the UK’s rarest invertebrates and plants living along the South Devon coast.
They need someone who can drive real landscape scale change and inspire communities to take positive action for nature and the climate.
Up for the challenge?
Find out more.
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