Mobile testing changes

The opening times of the mobile testing unit which visits our Depot in Brunel Road every Friday have been changed so that testing will start later but continue into the evening.

The revised times for this and the other mobile testing sessions in Teignbridge are:

Ashburton-Buckfastleigh

• Monday  11am to 2.30pm – Kingsbridge Lane Car Park TQ13 7DX
• Thursday 11am to 2:30pm – Kingsbridge Lane Car Park TQ13 7DX

Dawlish

• Thursday 11am to 2:30pm – Barton Hill Car Park, , EX7 9QQ
• Sunday 9am to 12:30pm – Barton Hill Car Park, , EX7 9QQ

Newton Abbot

• Tuesday 11am to 2:30pm – Tesco, Newton Road, Kingsteignton, TQ12 3RN
• Tuesday 3:30pm to 7pm – Buckland Centre, Gilbert Rd,  TQ12 4HS
• Friday 11am to 7pm – Brunel Industrial Estate, Brunel Rd,  TQ12 4XX
• Sunday 9am to 12:30pm – Tesco, Newton Road, Kingsteignton, TQ12 3RN

Moretonhampstead

• Saturday 9 am to 12:30 pm – Station Road Car Park,TQ13 8SB

Teignmouth

• Thursday 3:30pm to 7pm – Morrisons, 1 Newfoundland Rd, TQ14 9AE
• Sunday 1:30pm to 5pm – Morrisons, 1 Newfoundland Rd,  TQ14 9AE

Find out more about how to get a test in Devon.

Election update

The deadline for applications for postal votes has now passed, but you can still register to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf.  You have until 5pm on 27 April to do this.

Final checks are being carried out on the 92 polling stations across Teignbridge, to ensure the election is carried out in a safe and Covid-secure way on May 6.   Voters will be asked to observe safe distancing, wear a face mask in the polling station and sanitise their hands.  Voters can also bring their own pencil or pen with them to mark their ballot paper, although some will be provided at the polling stations.  We will be reminding residents in the run up to the elections, and you can also visit our website for more information, including the lists of candidates standing for Devon County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and the town council bi-elections.

Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm. Find your polling station.

Fire risk warning

The Met Office is warning that the recent spell of dry and sunny weather allied to the windy conditions means that the risk of fires getting out of control is much greater.

Whether on the moors, in the countryside or on the beach, please take extra care if lighting barbecues to make sure no sparks or flames ignite the dry conditions.

Check out the advice on Devon and Somerset Fire Service’s website

Our housing strategy consultation held earlier this year attracted received six times the number of responses compared to the previous strategy, with 574 people taking part and some 300 questions and comments raised.

The draft strategy sets out what the Council and its partners will be doing over the next five years to improve housing for current and future residents.

The strategy’s core themes reflect the broad range of work that we do to meet local housing need, including developing affordable housing, maintaining housing standards, and helping people to stay independent in their own homes, as well as preventing homelessness

The consultation responses, contained in this week’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee report, Item 9, endorse the key elements of the draft strategy with support for each shown below:

• Build affordable homes 64%
• Tackle climate change 55%
• Address homelessness and rough sleeping 54%
• Improve homes 52%
• Put our clients first 29%

Responses will not only help shape the housing strategy but will be passed to other departments for consideration and will also help inform the Local Plan.

Having been considered by Overview and Scrutiny, the draft strategy will now go to the Executive Committee (13 May) and the Full Council (25 May) for approval.

Thank you to everyone who took part.

Be kind to shop workers

With the reopening of shops last week a campaign has been launched urging people to ShopKind.

The campaign recognises the important role of shop workers, highlights the scale and impact of violence and abuse against them and encourages positive behaviour in shops.

So if shopping takes longer than normal because of Covid restrictions,  don’t take your frustration out on shop workers but please be patient and shop safely.

Environment Agency contractors are repairing two groynes (13 and 14 -  marked in orange on the map) at Teignmouth.

Access to the lighthouse, the prom and the nearby steps to the beach will be restricted while work is undertaken at low tides. Temporary safety fencing will also be in place.  

The contractors are expected to be working until 4 May on the groynes and will also be back on site for a few days in June. The dates will be confirmed nearer the time.

The Children’s Commissioner for England has launched ‘The Big Ask’ – a survey to gather children and young people in England's views  on what the government should prioritise in planning the recovery from the pandemic.

Parents, care leavers and people working with children are also invited to complete the adults survey to share their views about the future for children and young people today, and what they think is holding young people back.

Ramadan covid guidance

The British Islamic Medical Association, an affiliate of the Muslim Council of Britain, has issued specific advice, recommending the Covid-19 vaccine and debunking myths surrounding the jab. Some NHS vaccination sites across England are extending their opening hours so that Muslims can receive the jab after they have broken fast and make it easier for people to find a convenient time to make an appointment

Together Drug and Alcohol Service is hosting two virtual open days/evenings to discuss new job opportunities and to describe the roles and the recruitment process.

New funding has created a number of one-year fixed term contracts that provide an opening to a career in substance misuse or criminal justice or for those who want to give back to their community.

The open day/evenings will be held on:

• Friday 30 April 11am to 12.30pm
• Wednesday 5 May 6pm to 7.30pm

The advertised roles are for:

• Court Workers in Torbay, Exeter and Barnstaple
• Community Transitions Worker in Devon and surrounding areas
• Increased support for prolific offenders
• Custody Research Worker to work in Exeter, Barnstaple and Torquay

If you are interested in attending either of the virtual sessions please send an email to Joni Nash or call/text Joni on 07944 77266 and for an invitation to your preferred session. if you are unable to attend, but are interested in learning more, please contact Joni.