Keeping residents up to date

Teignbridge District Council sent this bulletin at 01-04-2021 05:13 PM BST

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The latest information and guidance to support you and our communities

Take advantage of the spring weather but follow the rules to stay safe

This week’s gradual easing of lockdown means that we have more scope to enjoy this coming bank holiday weekend.

With the weather forecast looking good, many of us will take the opportunity to get out and about, perhaps meeting friends and family members outside.

Whatever you do this weekend, please continue to follow the rules so as to protect yourself and those around you:

Continue to wear a face covering
Make sure you maintain social distancing
Wash your hands regularly
Meet up outside only under the rule of six or two household

And while the government’s advice is to minimise travel, if you are going outside your local area, follow the safe travel advice and:

Plan your journey and avoid busy times and routes where possible.
Walk or cycle where possible.
Remember you must wear a face covering on public transport and inside transport hubs, e.g. train stations.
If travelling by car, you should avoid sharing a car with anyone outside of your household or support bubble. If this isn’t possible, you should open the windows, wear a face covering unless exempt, and leave seats free to social distance.

Easter travel guidance - Minimise travel where possible but if you need to travel plan your journey, wash hands, wear face covering, keep distance

Visiting our beaches with your dog in the summer months

Across Teignbridge there are beaches where you can continue to walk your dog throughout the year. However, there are some summer restrictions that start today (1 April) on some of our beaches. For more information on what beaches you can still visit with your dog, and which ones you will need to avoid, please visit our website.

Signs at all our beaches also tell you whether you're able to take your dog on them during the summer months, and there are some areas where you need to keep your dog on a lead.

Your vote matters don't lose it - in person by proxy by post

New order in place to protect Teignmouth residents

New laws to tackle antisocial behaviour in Teigmmouth town centre will take effect from tomorrow (1 April). The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) aims to prevent nuisance caused by noise, drinking or drug taking in the restricted area, which can be enforced by the police or council, and anyone found in breach of this could be subject to a fine or fixed penalty. For more information please contact our Community Safety Team or visit our website.

Tuesday tables - items on a table for recycling outside a house

Tuesday tables launches next week

A new recycling initiative starts on Tuesday (April 6) called ‘Tuesday Tables’ - part of Recycle Devon’s commitment to help residents reduce the amount of waste thrown away.

Tuesday Tables is a community initiative which encourages people to pass on items they no longer need so that they can be used by someone that may benefit.

All residents have to do is put things they don’t want any more on their doorstep, front garden, or driveway every Tuesday – and let people know you are taking part.

Census 2021 can still be completed

Census day may have passed and millions of households have completed it but some people have not got round to doing so or have simply forgotten.

Census staff are following up those who haven’t completed the census so if you want to avoid getting a visit, go on line and spend the few minutes it takes to complete it. By doing so you will help planning for key services such as GP surgeries, school places and hospital beds.

Census field staff will never need to enter people’s houses; they will always be socially distanced, be equipped with PPE, carry ID and work in line with all government guidance..

Getting help this Easter weekend

The NHS in Devon is reminding people how to access health services and get the care they need this Easter bank holiday weekend when most GP practices will be closed.

For urgent advice, people are advised to ‘Think 111 First’ and contact NHS 111 advice over the long weekend. .

Sheep grazing in front of a tree at a sunset or sunrise

New Countryside Code launched to help people enjoy the outdoors

A new, refreshed Countryside Code has been launched today by Natural England, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the creation of the founding booklet.

With more people enjoying the outdoors than ever before, the code has been revised to help people enjoy countryside in a safe and respectful way.

This update - the first in over a decade - has been shaped by nearly 4,000 stakeholder responses to an online survey, which sought views on best practices for visiting the countryside and protecting the natural environment.

Changes include advice on creating a welcoming environment; clearer rules to underline the importance of clearing away dog poo; staying on footpaths; and not feeding livestock. It also provides advice on how to seek permissions for activities such as wild swimming.

Key changes to the Countryside Code include:

New advice for people to ‘be nice, say hello, share the space’ as well as ‘enjoy your visit, have fun, make a memory’
A reminder not to feed livestock, horses or wild animals
To stay on marked footpaths, even if they are muddy, to protect crops and wildlife
Information on permissions to do certain outdoor activities, such as wild swimming
Clearer rules for dog walkers to take home dog poo and use their own bin if there are no public waste bins
A refreshed tone of voice, creating a guide for the public rather than a list of rules – recognising the significant health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature
New wording to make clear that the code applies to all our natural places, including parks and waterways, coast and countryside.

Latest Government coronavirus advice

If you are visiting the beach or countryside, please keep your distance wash your hands and take your litter home