A step closer to normal life but stay safe
It’s America’s Independence Day tomorrow but for most of us, the date’s significance is the further opening up of our economy from the coronavirus lockdown.
Depending on your priorities, sense of adventure or caution you can book a haircut or holiday abroad, make a reservation at your favourite restaurant or enjoy (in moderation) your favourite tipple in a local hostelry – socially distanced of course!
You can travel and stay overnight, joining what the RAC estimates to be 10 million motorists who will take to the roads, or you can put on a face covering and catch a train or a bus to a favourite destination.
Check out the government’s guidelines of what you can and can’t do after Saturday but three things remain paramount: keep socially distant as much as possible; reduce the risk of spreading infection by limiting the number of different people you meet up with; and if you do develop any symptoms, isolate and get tested immediately.
Public Health England has published a blog with some useful suggestions for staying safe.
Whatever your plans for the weekend, please respect those around you, be patient – it’s not going to be a ‘return to normal’ so there may be a lot of waiting involved; and please be courteous to those working to keep our streets and open spaces clean and help them by taking home everything that you brought with you.
Enjoy the weekend, but whatever you do, stay safe, wash your hands frequently and continue to contribute to keeping infection rates in Teignbridge low.
Providing contact details for Test and Trace
The public, businesses and organisations are being asked to “play their part in new national effort” by providing names and phone numbers to venues and businesses they visit from this Saturday to help control the spread of the virus in the event of another outbreak.
The records will help NHS Test and Trace to reach anyone who may at a later date be found to have potentially been in contact with a positive coronavirus case whilst at a particular venue, helping to quickly contact people at risk of the virus and prevent localised outbreaks before they occur.
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Plans in place to contain local COVID outbreak
Devon County Council has published a Local Outbreak Management Plan to contain and reduce cases of coronavirus in Devon
The plan sets out how we will work together to help reduce the risk of outbreaks in the county and to identify outbreaks quickly, providing a rapid response to prevent the virus spreading. A partnership involving district councils, police, fire authority, NHS and other statutory and voluntary groups across Devon has come together to agree the plan, roles and responsibilities, and what action would need to be taken in the event of a local outbreak.
Teignbridge's role in the local outbreak control is critical in ensuring that businesses and residents across the district know what's happening and what the plans are to keep everyone safe. Key staff from across the council have been involved in shaping this local plan and looking at the latest data to ensure a timely and co-ordinated response as the situation emerges.
Team Devon Recovery Plan provides blueprint for local economy
As part of Team Devon - a public and private sector partnership that consists of education, skills and public sector organisations - we have worked alongside Devon County Council to develop a Devon-wide plan that pledges to re-build the county’s economy to be stronger, more inclusive and sustainable.
The programmes and projects listed in the plan could create up to 30,000 new jobs, 80,000 new training places and secure investment of £550 million, generating £2.8 billion of additional economic output.
Devon's economy is predicted to shrink by around 8% this year, which is roughly 1% more than the rest of the UK, and the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic is likely to continue until at least 2023.
The immediate priority is to seek investment into local projects that will assist businesses to reopen, adapt and grow, help young people and those at risk of redundancy find or keep a job, and invest in Devon’s hardest-hit communities and sectors.
Teignbridge District council Leader Gordon Hook said: “Throughout the pandemic, we have been talking to community representatives, town and parish councils, residents and businesses to see how we can best support recovery and longer term sustainability and these conversations. Our recovery plan and the Team Devon plan will enable us to deliver these vital lifelines into the heart of local communities, alongside our Team Devon partners.”
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Newton Abbot Multi storey reopens
Regular users of the car park will see a number of changes when it reopens at 9am on Monday.
Customers are asked to follow the markings and observe the one way system in the two stairwells with one being up only and the other down. Unless from one household, the lift is split in two by markings and users must stay on either side of the line, keeping as much distance as possible.
To reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus we are asking everyone to go cashless if they can when paying for parking. Payments can be made at no additional cost by contactless debit/credit cards, Apple Pay or GPay.
The car park will initially operate 9am – 5am Monday to Saturday. Parking for NHS (and other essential) staff continues to be free. Details of our car parks are on our website.
Time running out to apply for a discretionary grant
Friday 17 July is the deadline for local businesses that need financial help to apply for a discretionary grant.
In the first allocation, £668,000 was paid out in grants and a second allocation will be paid shortly.
Businesses can apply providing they do not qualify under the range of other COVID-related support schemes. Those unsuccessful in the second tranche and who meet the criteria will be automatically considered for the third tranche.
New applications can be made via our website before the 17 July deadline
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Greater Exeter Strategic Plan
Teignbridge together with East Devon, Exeter and Mid Devon Councils will be considering in the coming weeks whether to begin the next round of consultation on the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan.
The plan, known as the GESP, includes draft planning policies and large scale development options across all four council areas.
It will be discussed at Teignbridge's Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 14 July and at the Executive on 21 July. Both meetings will be held virtually but you can watch live on our YouTube channel
The GESP, which looks to 2040, will tackle big planning issues affecting the Greater Exeter area. These include climate change, meeting the need for new homes, jobs and infrastructure, transport and wildlife protection. The GESP will also identify possible development sites across the area.
 The latest government advice on staying alert and safe
Click on the images below for more information about each
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