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Anyone who is currently not able to work from home or is in contact with other people as part of their work can be tested at the centre, which runs from 8.30am-5.30pm.
Testing should be booked in advance on the website
The test is painless (some people say it’s a little uncomfortable) and is done in a couple of minutes. You will receive a test with your result by text within a couple of hours of your test. It is important that you report a positive test result on the gov.uk website and follow the guidance, including self-isolating immediately.
Teignbridge Council Leader Cllr Alan Connett said: “We’re really pleased to have worked with Devon County Council to secure this important facility for Newton Abbot and Teignbridge.
“Here we a considerable number of local businesses where staff have frontline roles – supermarkets, vehicle repair centres, and food producers – so it’s vitally important that we support them not only to be able to continue to operate safely, but also to support our non-essential businesses to reopen, and help to kickstart our local economy.
“I encourage all employers, large or small, to take up this opportunity – it’s quick, easy and cost-free, and will safeguard businesses, their customers and our local communities as we come out of lockdown.”
For more information on testing in Devon please visit Devon County Council’s website.
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Wolborough Barton appeal rejected
The Judicial Review of the Secretary of State’s decision to grant planning permission for the development of land at Wolborough, brought by Abbotskerswell Parish Council, has been dismissed.
The decision was published yesterday and officers will be reviewing the judgement and its implications in detail. The parish council has been refused leave to further appeal and in addition to their own costs, Abbotskerswell will have to pay the Defendant’s (Secretary of State) costs up to a cap of £10,000.
We hope this brings to an end a process that started in 2014 and which has seen significant public funding spent reviewing this application through every possible planning and legal process.
It has been considered by the Planning Inspectorate, the Secretary of State and the High Court. Despite the many challenges at different stages, the outcomes show that officers acted appropriately, following the correct planning processes and gave sound professional advice on planning, ecological and environmental issues.
There will be polarised views on this decision with some people being disappointed while others will welcome the economic and housing benefits that will flow from the development.
The permission granted will see 300 affordable homes provided, key infrastructure delivered and the provision of new accessible green spaces for residents.
Now this development will go ahead, the Council will work together with stakeholders to make it a place where people want to live, work and play.
There will be planning conditions to comply with and detailed designs will need to be approved so that construction of the new neighbourhood at Wolborough can start.
The decision removes uncertainty and enables us now to work with the developers to ensure that the detailed planning requirements are properly met and that homes, amenities and surroundings are built to meet the needs of future generations
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Choose how you pay your council tax
Residents will start receiving their 2021/22 council tax bills shortly.
There are a number of ways you can pay your bill: online by visiting our website; by phone; using online banking; at your nearest Post Office or PayPoint, or by standing order.
The money raised from your council tax is split across different public services:
- Devon County Council (72%)
- The Police (11%)
- Teignbridge District Council (9%)
- Fire service (4%)
- Town and parish councils (4%).
The nine per cent increase that Teignbridge is allocated from your council tax - less than 10 pence a week for a Band D council tax payer - is spent on things like leisure services, providing green spaces and resorts, housing, waste and recycling, and providing vital community support during times like the current pandemic.
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First stage in relaxation timetable implemented
In addition to schools returning this week, people in care homes have been able to receive one regular visitor. Visitors must be tested beforehand and wear personal protective equipment, and are advised to keep physical contact to a minimum.
People can leave home for recreation and exercise outdoors with their household or (if eligible) support bubble or with one person from outside their household.
The next stage in relaxing the rules is currently scheduled for March 29, when outdoor gatherings of either six people (including children) or two households will be allowed, and outdoor sports facilities can reopen. The ‘stay at home’ rule is scheduled to end on 29 March but some restrictions will remain in place after that date.
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Shaldon Golf to reopen
The first of our leisure facilities to reopen in line with the Government's timetable will be Shaldon Golf, which is scheduled to welcome golfers back to its fairways on Monday 29 March.
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Preparations underway to reopen our leisure centres
Our Teignbridge Leisure Centres are gearing up to reopen from Monday 12 April in line with the Government’s current timetable.
Although the government has said that dates could change depending on the impact of earlier relaxations on the spread of Covid-19, our team is being positive in its planning and doing everything to ensure that if nothing changes, they can re-open on schedule. Staff have missed helping customers achieve their health and fitness goals and are looking forward to welcoming current and new customers back.
 Swimming Lessons are set to return
Part of our planning is to get our pools reopen as soon as possible and to restart children’s Swimming Lessons. Those who had booked, paid/confirmed for the January courses can find out more and will be advised by email of their restart date and time.
Those not booked, but who would like their child to join us to learn an important life skill, can find out more and contact us by email and our swim team will get in touch to book children into available lessons.
Stay up to date
Information about reopening and future operating arrangements are on our Teignbridge Leisure website and the Teignbridge Leisure App – just download from the App Store or Google Play,
Each leisure centre also has its own Facebook page where you can stay up to date.
Free parking extended to support vaccination programme
People being vaccinated against Covid-19 at Sherborne House will be able to park free at Cricketfield car park and anyone with mobility issues can use a small car park next to the building in Kingsteignton Road.
The new arrangements have been agreed with the NHS and parking will be marshalled by volunteers coordinated by The Rotary Club. This agreement maintains free car parking while freeing up the short stay car park at Halcyon Road for use by shoppers and traders, as the town centre reopens for business.
The larger Cricketfield car park is only 25 metres further from Sherborne House and is barrier controlled, meaning that a dedicated area can be allocated to those attending for vaccinations leaving the rest of the car park for other users. The additional parking in Kingsteignton Road will significantly shorten the journey for those in wheelchairs or who has severe mobility issues.
Executive Member for Corporate Resources Cllr Richard Keeling said: “This arrangement balances the different demands for car parking in the town - providing free spaces for those being vaccinated at Sherborne House while minimising disruption to local traders and shoppers as lockdown restrictions are relaxed.
“The Council is committed to supporting the NHS and the vaccination programme as well as supporting the return of business activity as part of our recovery planning efforts. We would like to thank the Rotary Club for their help in implementing these arrangements.”
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Texting service aims to improve vaccine uptake
People aged 55 and over and unpaid carers are the latest groups that will be contacted by the NHS to be vaccinated.
To boost uptake, the NHS is to send them text messages with a weblink so they can reserve an appointment at one of more than 300 vaccination centres or pharmacies across England. Reminders will then be sent every two to three weeks to encourage people to get their vaccination if they have not taken up the offer.
If this approach is successful, younger age groups are likely to receive texts ahead of official NHS letters landing on doormats advising that they are now eligible for their vaccination.
Texts will come from NHSvaccine, will include a web link and will never ask for payment. If in doubt please just wait to receive your letter from the NHS.
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Returning to schools
Public Heath England has produced a blog - COVID-19: Science lessons – What We Know About COVID-19 in Schools - dealing with some of the issues which have been raised.
Cycle repair vouchers available again
 The Government has released a new batch of Fix your Bike vouchers to encourage people to cycle more.
This scheme is designed to help those who may not otherwise be able to afford to get their bike repaired or who may be discouraged from cycling more frequently due to repair costs. Each voucher is worth up to £50 and recipients will be able to use them to help get old or broken bikes back into working order.
Vouchers can only be used with bike repairers or mechanics that are registered for the scheme and the previous release of vouchers was snapped up very quickly.
Apply for a voucher now.
Covid Community Hardship Fund grants
The Council has awarded £54,000 to local community groups to deliver projects to support residents across the district adversely affected by the pandemic.
The funding, which has been allocated by the council to eight community groups spread across the district, will support projects that tackle social isolation and loneliness, mental health issues or digital exclusion.
Sums between £2,000 and £10,000 have been awarded and the successful groups, which have a year to deliver the projects, are listed below:
- Alice Cross – Teignmouth and surrounding area. Getting young and old working together
- Buckland Support – Buckland Estate, Newton Abbot. Work with people who are anxious about using the internet
- Helping Dawlish – Dawlish Parish, encompassing Dawlish, Dawlish Warren, Holcombe and Cockwood. Click and Collect – Tablet 2 go! Delivered to a person’s home to enable someone who is not currently using digital tools to access the internet
- Kerswella - Kingskerswell, Abbotskerswell, Ipplepen & Coffinswell communities through Kingskerswell & Ipplepen Health Centres. Activities and individuals to improve mental health and well-being by engaging specialist help and support.
- Kingscare - Kingsteignton, Kingskerswell and Newton Abbot. A community cookbook will be produced with contributions from a wide a range of people
- Moorland Community Care - Bovey Tracey, Ashburton, Buckfastleigh and surrounding rural parishes. Delivery of a telephone and online support to people who are isolated, vulnerable and experiencing significant loneliness and poor mental health.
- No Limits – Newton Abbot. Twice monthly social clubs for target groups
- SPACE -Youth – Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Dawlish. Young people only sessions at sports centres and autumn Saturday fun days.
Find out more about these Covid Community Hardship Fund projects.
Is voting in your local elections important to you?
We're looking for volunteers to help us encourage voting in the upcoming elections. If you'd be happy to share why you'll be voting in May, we'd love to hear from you.
Send us an email with a few lines about why you think it’s important that people vote, and we will be in touch (please be aware there are limited spaces for volunteers).
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Rapid charging unit survey
The success of Rapid Charging Exeter which is rolling out on-street, rapid electric vehicle chargers has generated considerable interest from locations outside the city. As a result Teignbridge and surrounding districts are now being explored for possible locations.
The chargers are powered by renewables and can pump in 75 miles of charge in just 30 minutes. The charging hubs comprise two chargers and two battery units, enabling up to four electric cars to charge at the same time. As electric cars become the norm on our streets, having a local rapid charging point will become an important neighbourhood amenity.
Please complete this short survey to let the organisers have your views
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Vaccination information
British Sign Language (BSL) videos related to the vaccination programme have been published by the Government. The leaflets on which the videos are based can also be downloaded and paper copies ordered.
Latest government guidance
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