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Speaking after yesterday’s government announcement, Cllr Connett said: “I’m hugely disappointed for Teignbridge, and even more saddened for the businesses that will be adversely affected by this decision. Whilst this news brings some hope for many of our businesses that they can open up again, our drinks-only hospitality industry must be feeling near desperation at the prospect of what looks like a further lockdown for them.
“We want to help these businesses as much as possible to diversify their offer, to enable them to work within the rules and reopen wherever possible, and also through our businesses grants and other support, so I’d encourage them to get in touch. We want to help and will where we can.
“We’re very unlucky that we’ve been placed in a higher tier than many expected, and it does feel like a slap in the face for everyone who has worked so hard to keep our infection rates low, keep our high streets and businesses covid safe and stick to the rules.
Help our NHS through a critical period
“But what we need to focus on now is keeping our rates down, helping get our NHS through this critical period, and supporting our local communities to recover.
“It’s not going to be easy – we’re already seeing big increases in claims for universal credit, council tax relief and hardship funds, and our economy is being hit hard.
“By continuing to work together, we may be able to get into Tier 1 and wherever possible shopping locally to support out businesses and traders. Let's keep Devon safe and strong.”.
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Shop local and support Teignbridge businesses
Tier 2 restrictions make it even more important that we all do our best to support local businesses by shopping local.
That was the appeal by Council Managing Director Phil Shears who said helping local businesses to continue to trade was vital if our local economy is to recover from the devastating impact of coronavirus.
"All of us can play an important part by using our local shops and businesses so that they are still trading when restrictions are over. Maintaining local business is vital to the future wellbeing of our town centres and our communities.
"With Small Business Saturday next week, it is a timely reminder of the importance of everyone doing their bit to support local traders and to shop locally, wherever possible."
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And Mr Shears appealed for people to follow the Tier 2 rules: "We must not let our disappointment or annoyance at the Government's decision to divert us from redoubling our efforts, making sure we keep our distance, cover our faces in confined spaces and wash our hands thoroughly and frequently.
"Above all we must not see next week's switch from lockdown to the tier system as an opportunity to celebrate and by taking more risks, increase the spread of the virus.
"Stick by the rules and we will hopefully end up in Tier 1 in the near future."
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As part of the a Devon-wide campaign to encourage and support local enterprise 50 Devon businesses have the chance to join Trading Standard’s Made in Devon scheme with their first year of membership free.
Scheme membership will enable businesses to demonstrate that any claims made about a product’s Devon origins have been checked, vetted and verified by officers from Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards.
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 The rules for what you can and cannot do within Tier 2 are set out on the government's website, including:
- No socialising with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble iindoors
- No socialising in a group of more than six people outside
- Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals
- Hospitality businesses selling take away food and drink can continue to do so in certain circumstances
- Public attendance at outdoor and indoor events (performances and shows) is permitted, subject to number restrictions.
- Places of worship are open but you must not socialise with people from outside of your household or support bubble
- Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers
- Organised outdoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes can continue
- Organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes will only be permitted if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with (or share a support bubble with).
- if you live in a tier 2 area, you must continue to follow tier 2 rules when you travel to a tier 1 area. Avoid travel to or overnight stays in tier 3 areas other than where necessary.
A Tier 2 poster explaining the restrictions can be downloaded and displayed.
Leisure centres to reopen
 Despite being in Tier 2, our Leisure Centres are able to reopen from Wednesday 2 December.
They will continue to operate in a Covid secure way which means pre-booking your gym, swim and exercise class with us either on our Teignbridge Leisure App or on your online account. You must arrive at the time of the activity, self-swipe on arrival to support the track and trace Initiative and to confirm your attendance with us.
Tell us your views
Monday (30 November) is the deadline for you to take part in a national survey to understand how customers are feeling and what they have been doing during Lockdown 2.
Whilst similar to a survey you may have completed earlier this year, there are new questions so the leisure team would really appreciate you completing it again or for the first time if you missed the first one.
The results will be used to demonstrate the value our customers put on physical activity and to demonstrate this to the Government.
Competition to mark the start of national tree week
Tomorrow (Saturday 28 November) sees the start of National Tree Week and to mark the occasion, our green spaces team will be sharing some of their favourite images on social media from across the district and running a competition.
Children are being asked to get creative and make a leafy collage or draw a picture of a tree while adults are invited to submit a photo of their favourite tree.
Prizes will be a festive reindeer made from wood or a hand-crafted pen, kindly donated by local wood turner, made from felled trees and logs. There’s also a fruit tree sapling prize.
The competition will close on 7 December and the winners will be announced the following week.
To enter, simply email your entries with 'National Tree Week Competition' in the subject bar and include in your email your name, age (if under 18) your preferred contact email or telephone number.
Our thanks to Michelle Medwin and Claire Twitchen for allowing us to use their photographs,(Middle right and bottom right respectively)
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BAME Covid counselling service
Devon based not-for-profit health and wellbeing social care social enterprise UBUNTU Counselling Services has obtained funding from Devon County Council and the National Lottery to provide a specially targeted service for BAME communities in the county.
UBUNTU Counselling Services offers multicultural counselling, support and education. They are providing a free of charge, flexible service to reflect the needs of individuals, working remotely using phone, email, WhatsApp, Zoom and Skype. Sessions range in length from 10 minutes to an hour.
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Guidance to help plan a 'jolly careful' Christmas
 The Government's plans to ease social restrictions to allow friends and loved ones to reunite over the Christmas period were published earlier this week.
- You can form an exclusive ‘Christmas bubble’ composed of people from no more than three households
- You can only be in one Christmas bubble
- You cannot change your Christmas bubble
- You can travel between tiers and UK nations for the purposes of meeting up in your Christmas bubble
- You can only meet people in your Christmas bubble in private homes or in your garden, places of worship, or public outdoor spaces
- You can continue to meet people who are not in your Christmas bubble outside your home according to the rules in the tier where you are staying
- You cannot meet someone in a private dwelling who is not part of your household or Christmas bubble
- You should travel to meet those in your Christmas bubble and return home between 23 and 27 December
- Anyone travelling to or from Northern Ireland may travel on 22 and 28 December
Local advice and support
Teignbridge Coronavirus web pages: a range of information including the latest government advice, service changes, financial and community support and business help.
Covid helpline: help for local residents who are feeling isolated, unable to access food or other services or even just not sure where to go for help or advice. Monday to Thursday, 8.30am - 5pm; Fridays, 8.30am - 4.30pm. Call 01626 215512 or email us.
Covid Hardship Fund: people struggling to make ends meet due to Covid-19 could be helped by our Hardship Fund to pay for basic necessities including household essentials, utility bills or travel costs.
Business support: the latest information and advice on all Government Covid-19 support schemes
Customer Support Team: contact them on 01626 361101 during office hours, Monday to Thursday 8.30am – 5pm and Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm or use use our website’s 'contact us' link.
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Government guidance
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