The budget proposals will enable Teignbridge to continue to tackle climate change and increase support for housing, including making good its commitment to build affordable housing.  Delivering some of its key infrastructure projects to secure employment and enhance community settings is also part of the budget proposals.

The Council tax increase means that a Band D household will pay £5 a year more with some fees and charges also increasing slightly.

The increases are needed to offset the reduced funding in grants such as the New Homes Bonus, other central funding reductions such as business rates and the need to secure long-term borrowing and use of reserves to shore up the impact of Covid and resulting drop in revenue from sources such as car parking.

More information is on our website and next week’s newsletter will summarise the  budget survey results.

NHS call for over 70s not yet vaccinated

Following Government ministers calls for anyone over 70 who has not yet been vaccinated to get in touch with the NHS about booking an appointment, Devon Clinical Commissioning Group has set out how people can do this in Devon.

Other than the over 70s, the NHS will get in touch with people when it’s their turn to be vaccinated and they will be given a choice of where they can go to have it.

Those vaccinated are reminded that although the vaccine should protect them from becoming seriously ill from Covid-19, they may remain a risk to others so it is crucial that they continue to observe the ‘stay at home’ and ‘hands, face, space’ advice until advised that it is no longer necessary.

Hardship fund helps out with energy bills

More people are seeking help from Teignbridge Covid-19 Hardship Fund to help pay for energy bills due to spending more time at home and the increased financial pressure resulting from winter weather.  Applications paid out or being processed by the Hardship Fund so far total around £30,000.

The fund helps people whose income has been reduced by the impact of Covid to levels which do not cover their basic costs, such as being made unemployed or furloughed, whose business can’t trade or those who are self-employed and not covered by government support schemes, and who can demonstrate they have less than £500.

In addition to helping with energy bills, the fund has also supported people to pay for essentials like white goods, children’s clothing, household repairs and travel costs.

It’s not just those who normally battle to make ends meet who have been affected but others who have never found themselves in financial difficulties before who are struggling and don’t know where to turn for help.

We have produced and distributed a factsheet highlighting major sources of assistance and advice to schools, housing associations, Citizens’ Advice, GP surgeries and social services.

If you or anyone you know is struggling to pay their bills as a result of Coronavirus,  please visit our website or call our Covid help hotline on 01626 215512

Stepping up to the challenge

Encouraging people to get out and exercise by walking locally is the aim of the #TeignbridgeTogether initiative launched last week by our leisure team and partnering gyms and leisure centres.

People are certainly stepping up to the challenge, with the number of steps recorded up until Wednesday standing at 4,628,941!

You don't need to be a member of a gym to take part and you can join at anytime, walking as little or as much as you want, recording your steps and uploading them daily or weekly on the #TeignbridgeTogether tracker form via our leisure website.

Walking is good for your general health and wellbeing, helps maintain a healthy weight and is easy on the joints. So if you aren't already, why not step out and join in?

New Covid-19 grants checker

We've developed an online Covid-19 Grants Checker to help local businesses find the financial support available to them.

The new tool has been developed in response to feedback which suggests the number of different grant schemes available means some businesses are unsure what they are entitled to claim and whether they can apply under more than one Government scheme.

Second success in jobs initiative

Our second application to the Kickstart scheme has been successful with nine employers being accepted, providing 34 new placements.

This second application follows our success last year when we coordinated applications from small employers for 82 placements.

The scheme provides funding for employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds currently receiving Universal Credit and who are at risk of long term unemployment.

A number of placements are due to start shortly, with applications already coming in for the 14 placements to be provided by the Council. 

Lockdown provides the perfect opportunity to explore from your door

Together with our other Devon district councils we are reminding local people of the beautiful part of the world we live in and the ability to see some wonderful sights without having to travel.

#ExploreFromYourDoor is a campaign to encourage people to stay local but to get out for their daily exercise, enjoy what's around us, and see what can easily be missed on our doorsteps.

For inspiration and ideas visit Devon‘s Public Rights of Way website, Explore Devon, or if you live near the coast, the South West Coastal Path. 

We'd love you to share photos of your walks and local scenery and wildlife on social media using the #ExploreFromYourDoor hashtag. (pictured above are snowdrops near Bakers Park and below from L-R sunrise at Ideford Common, stormy seas at Teignmouth and a misty morning at Town Quay Bridge in Newton Abbot.)

Looking for a job where you can make a difference?

Did you know that there are 1.5 million people working in the adult social care sector in England, each of them making a difference to the lives of those they support? 

There are lots of rewarding, varied and flexible roles available in social care, whether you are looking for short-term opportunities or a long-term career. You can find out more about roles and vacancies on the Every Day is Different website

What are the local green spaces you most enjoy?

Monday is the deadline for responding to our Connecting to Nature survey .

Our aim is to identify areas of green space around Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton and Kingskerswell that may need support to help nature flourish and become spaces that local people value.

The survey asks:

• What makes a good area of green space for you?
• Where do you like to go to be outdoors and spend time in nature?
• Do you have ideas of areas that could be created or enhanced as places of value for people to be in nature?

If you haven’t taken part, now's your last chance! 

Have you commented on the Draft Devon Carbon Plan?

There’s just a few days left for you to give your views on proposals in the Interim Devon Carbon Plan which includes recommendations for achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

As one of the councils supporting Devon Climate Emergency we want as many people as possible to comment on the plan before consultation closes on Monday.  If people want to know more, there is a range of slides and videos on the Devon Climate Emergency website.

There's also a choice of completing a short survey or a more detailed one.

Oh buoy!

Easterly gales and storm waves broke one of the large and distinctive Safe Water marking buoys from its mooring at the entrance to the Exe Estuary.

The 12ft high red and white buoy, operated by the Exeter Port Authority, was driven ashore at Dawlish Warren coming to rest beside one of the groynes at the resort end of the beach.

With assistance from BAM Nutall, who are working close by as part of the Network Rail resilience works at Dawlish, and co-ordinated by Teignbridge District Council the large buoy was recovered before it could be washed back out to sea where it could potentially cause a hazard to navigation or damage to coastal structures.

Grahame Forshaw the Exe Harbour Master said:  "Thanks to the quick actions of BAM Nutall, Teignbridge and my own team, we were able to retrieve this important marker which will be assessed for repair or replacement and be back on station in due course".

Loan sharks exploiting dating apps

The England Illegal Money Lending Team is warning people about the dangers of loan sharks on dating apps and social media sites. Loan sharks are using these to trick people into taking out loans, trapping victims in a cycle of debt and misery and enforcing repayment by blackmail and threats of violence.

Anyone who believes they might be the victim of a loan shark can contact the Stop Loan Sharks 24-hour confidential helpline on 0300 555 2222, email or complete an online report form. Live Chat is available on the website 9am-5pm weekdays.