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The latest information and guidance to support you and our communities

Christmas wishes from Council Leader

Cllr Alan Connett

"Christmas can be the best of times...and the worst of times.

The best because it is about family and celebration, the worst because many live alone, will have lost a loved one, a friend or work mate...and this is the first Christmas without them.

So I really do appreciate just how joyful and difficult Christmas can be. This year will be exceptionally rough for many because of Covid19 restrictions.

Whatever we decide to do this Christmas, Coronavirus will NOT be taking a break.

In truth, helping to beat Coronavirus is down to us. We can all help by following the guidance, staying safe, protecting our NHS and look forward to meeting-up next Christmas.

The Government yesterday published information about the various grants and funding allocations towards local services.

We will publish our draft budget and consultation as soon as we can. This is very likely to be over the Christmas and New Year period. Please take a moment to look and let us have your comments. 

The year is what it is but we too have seen a huge loss of income, for example, from car parks, leisure centres and other services.

Even so, we plan to invest further in genuinely affordable local homes, continue our work to tackle climate change and do all we can to protect and create jobs.

On that point, support for business, we have pulled out all the stops again to get the support grants out to eligible businesses as quickly as possible. These have proved an enormous help to firms and I know from the comments I receive that business recognises they are our priority when it comes to paying out quickly.

Two vaccination sites have been set up in Teignbridge - in Exminster and Buckfast.

This is welcome news and I know the NHS is making sure people in the priority groups are contacted and called to the relevant surgery.

I hope we will have more news about the further rollout of the vaccination programme locally, covering more communities.

In the meantime, my especial thanks to everyone involved in the vaccination programme and, indeed, all in the NHS and wider care services.

On behalf of us all at Teignbridge Council, I wish you a merry and safe christmas, with every good wish for a happy and healthy new year."

Alan Connett, Leader of Teignbridge District Council


High Alert Tier 2

Devon remains in Tier 2

Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s announcement earlier in the week of the Government’s Tier review left Devon in Tier 2 which was not unexpected given the pressures on the local NHS.

If we are to be moved down a tier at a future review it is essential that everyone does their utmost to observe the Tier 2 restrictions and minimise the risk of the virus spreading locally.

Keeping your distance, covering your face and washing your hands continue to be really important in stopping the spread as is following the rules that allow you only to meet socially indoors with those you live with or with whom you have formed a support bubble.  Don't forget to observe the rule of six outdoors.

We must keep on protecting each other Hands , face, space

Self isolation period reduced

This week's reduction in the isolation period from 14 to 10 days for contacts applies to all those who are currently self-isolating including those who commenced self-isolation before Monday 14 December. Self-isolation periods begin on the day after exposure, a test or the start of symptoms. 

Got symptoms or tested positive.  You must self-solate for 10 days

PM No 10 tweet re taking responsibility to avoid passing on the virus

Staying safe at Christmas

Although the rules are relaxed over Christmas,  Covid-19 will not be taking a festive break and so we must all be  watchful so as to avoid actions which could spread the virus to loved ones.

As the Prime Minister said "a smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas, and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas.”

Updated Christmas guidance


Christmas card from Chair, MD and leader

Dawlish nativity scene

Last local late night shopping 2020

Today is the last day of late night shopping in Dawlish so if you want to support the local traders give them a visit but stay safe by keeping your distance from other shoppers. 

Don't forget to visit the life size nativity scene on the Lawns in support of many local charities which is open daily until  23 December, from 4-8pm.

Kingsteignton community carol video

Kingsteignton celebrates Christmas

Local people in Kingsteignton have put together a video carol celebration which is being released at 6pm tonight (Friday)

This celebration includes Christmas readings, carols and prayers put on by various people representing the community life in the town including
headteachers, vets, students, publicans, council helpers, children, a Town Crier, food bank volunteers, our MP, local police, medical practitioners and more.

Two festive event cancellations

A car based carol service proposed for Dawlish Warren outer carpark on the 20 Dec has been cancelled as has the scheulded Boxing Day 2020 Walk in the Sea on Teignmouth seafront


Sports and Community Awards

Winners announced

Check out the Awards page on our website and take a look at the video announcing the winners of the different Awards categories.

The premiere of the video took place last evening (Thursday).

The virtual Awards have been sponsored by Kitsons Solicitors and the Rotary Club.

Find out more


person with arms outstretched with thumbs on one side pointing up and those on the other pointing down

Budget survey to be launched next week

The Government published yesterday its provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2021/22. The information that accompanies it will enable us to begin to shape our 2021/2 budget, starting with a report for next month's Executive.

Coinciding with this report will be the launch of our public budget survey which will run into the New Year. We anticipate it going live on the 22 or 23 December and it will be available under the live consultations section on our website.

When that happens, please take a few minutes to give us your views on the questions that will be posed in it and so help shape our future plans.


Devon Home Choice.  We want to hear your views. www.devonhomechoice.com/policy-consultation

Residents asked to share views on Devon-wide housing scheme

Residents are being asked to share their views on the allocation of housing accommodation in a Devon-wide consultation.

This consultation seeks views on the Devon Home Choice policy and proposed changes which are due to come into effect from 1 April 2021. Devon Home Choice is a choice-based letting scheme that covers the whole of Devon. It is a partnership between the 10 Devon local authorities and 23 housing associations operating in Devon.

The consultation is available online until 31 January 2021.  .


Dawlish Warren dune footpath closure with beach and sea in background

Dawlish Warren dune footpath closed

Storm damage and erosion forced the immediate closure of the dune path yesterday, cutting access to the bird hide for the foreseeable future

Sections of the dune path have been lost over the past year but the most recent storm resulted in such severe erosion to the dunes and beach, that further parts of the dune path that provide access to the bird hide are now unsafe and had to be closed.

We will be discussing with the Environment Agency how access might be restored.


Latest government advice

the Covid-19 has undergone rigorous tests, including clinical trials that are globally recognised as having the highest safety standards
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NHS Covid-19 test ad trace app download link
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