Joint message from Managing Director Phil Shears and Council Leader, Cllr Gordon Hook
We are currently facing one of the greatest challenges of our lifetime, with a rapidly evolving situation that poses fresh problems at every turn. To come through this emergency each of us must play our full part in helping to beat the Coronavirus pandemic.
“We will need to be resilient, resourceful and courageous to make it through the difficult months ahead. We need to work together, to help each other wherever possible and to be patient when things we expect either don’t happen or don’t get done as soon as we’d like.
“Please be reassured that our commitment to you remains firm and we will continue to provide critical services using our very best efforts. We’re proud to say that every single member of our staff is playing their part and working tirelessly to ensure that, despite multiple challenges, vital services are still being delivered to the best possible standard.
“Of course some normal ‘nice to do’ service areas may have to be put on hold, whilst other special measures are brought in whilst the emergency lasts. We know we can count on your understanding as we concentrate our resources in the areas where they help and protect people – especially the more vulnerable.
“We will continue to review and adapt as necessary, and importantly, we will continue to provide up-to-date information about our services and the latest advice via our own communication channels and through the print, online and broadcast media.
“It is in the interests of everyone to stay informed about what’s happening in our district.
“Thank you – keep safe and stay well – Together #WeAreDevon ”
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We are distributing this to customers who have asked to be kept in touch with updates to services. It is possible for example that if you have subscribed to different newsletters, you may get this more than once. We are sorry if this happens. It is due to a desire to get information to you without delay. If you do not want to receive it you can unsubscribe by selecting the link in the blue block at the end of this newsletter.
Following government instructions, our customers are reminded to stay at home and to only go out for essential food, health and key work which cannot be undertaken from home. In line with these measures, we are no longer seeing customers face to face at our Forde House offices.
You can still access our services using our online forms, MyAccount, Contact Us and by speaking to us over the phone. Documents and letters can be sent to us via email or by post.
Our staff are working hard to carry out priority and essential services. To help us do this we need to ask you to only visit us if it is absolutely essential to do so. If you think you need to visit, please call us on 01626 361101 before making a journey to Forde House.
For those unable to contact us from home, a self service phone will operate from Monday 30 March from the Forde House entrance which will enable them to talk to a member of the team who will do their best to help them.
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Our Cleansing, Waste and Recycling Depot remains operational, although closed to the public. Garden Waste collections have been suspended. Our teams are striving to maintain rounds, although there has been some disruption due to staffing issues. Details of rounds affected are updated daily on our website.
If a member of your household has the Coronavirus, any waste materials need to be handled carefully before they are collected to help prevent further spread of the virus.
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We are committed to supporting our communities through these difficult times. We are working with the Government, Devon County Council, town and parish councils, voluntary and community groups and local businesses to deliver the best response and support.
Links to town and parish councils, community groups offering help, food banks and voluntary sector organisations are being updated constantly and added to our website.
To make it easier to offer support locally, a volunteer form has been created.
To support voluntary groups helping to deal with the crisis, the Council has made available £60,000 unspent in the 2019/20 financial year and made it available to:
- Creating a Community Coronavirus fund (£7k)to support the emergency response required by the community and voluntary sector to support communities and vulnerable people in Teignbridge (application process to be agreed)
- Supporting foodbanks (£20k) (applications for funding to made by foodbanks in Teignbridge)
- Funding for CVS, Westbank and CAB (£20k shared)
- Providing a rent free period for the Meadow Centre, Buckland Community Centre and Chudleigh Youth Club for three months (£13k).
The CVS is contacting any new community group they become aware of who wish to provide support to vulnerable people. It is providing them with guidance and support to ensure they do this safely, putting the necessary process in place to both safeguard the volunteers and the people they are supporting.
We are looking at how we can provide more support in the coming financial year.
A network of ‘shielding hubs’ coordinated by local authorities is rapidly being set up across Devon to immediately help those most at risk from coronavirus (COVID-19) with urgent food, medicine and care supplies.
We are working with Devon County Council in response to the government’s announcement that 1.5 million of the UK’s most vulnerable people are being asked to ‘shield’ in self-isolation for at least 12 weeks.
Details of the hubs and the process for receiving support over the coming weeks are still being agreed, but it is likely that following the initial contact from the NHS, the individual will be contacted by one of our staff to find out what their needs are and how best to support them.
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If you are of working age and the spread of COVID-19 has caused you to be out of work, made redundant, have reduced hours, reduced or zero income from self-employment, the Government has lots of information about Universal Credit and claiming other benefits.
If you have any queries about your Universal Credit claim or which benefit you should apply for, please phone the Jobcentre on 0800 169 0310.
If you need help paying your Council Tax, you can apply online for Council Tax Reduction. Further help with Council Tax is available from an Exceptional Hardship Scheme and Discretionary Discount Policy.
Government Hardship Fund – as soon as we receive guidance this will become available.
A consultation process for the new Teignbridge Local Plan was launched on 23 March. It will run until 15 June – the feedback period extended to 12 weeks because of the Coronavirus emergency.
With many residents confined to their homes, there should be a chance for more people to view the proposals and give us their comments. You can see the draft documents and send us your feedback online.
Planning applications
Our staff are endeavouring to record and process applications as close to normal practice as possible. This may change depending on staffing issues. Please note for the moment we are no longer offering planning advice on new applications.
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Following Government announcements, we have closed:
- Newton Abbot and Dawlish Tourist Information Centres
- Newton Abbot, Dawlish and Broadmeadow leisure centres
- Shaldon Approach Golf
- Play areas and skate parks
Teignmouth Lido will not open and all events during April have been cancelled by organisers. Bouncy castle and photographic licence has also been postponed until things change.
Beaches
Beach restrictions will take force from 1 April as the reasons for their application still apply. People are advised not to travel to walk dogs and changing the rules could encourage people to ignore this advice. In addition changing the restrictions is a legal process for which we do not have resources at present to do.
If you are a resident who owns or works in a local business, please look out for Twitter posts from the Teignbridge Business account. A Business Newsletter was sent to subscribers on Wednesday (25 March). Sign up to receive future issues
Businesses can keep up to date on all Government Covid-19 support schemes via our online Business Support section.
We have closed Newton Abbot Market while we explore whether social distancing rules can be applied to enable it to operate safely. Dawlish Farmers’ market has also been postponed.
We understand some businesses and individuals have been receiving calls from scammers claiming to represent the Council asking for bank details. Please note that Teignbridge will never ask for bank details over the phone and we ask you to remain vigilant during these difficult times.
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