Keeping residents up to date - 28 May 2021

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The latest information and guidance to support you and our communities

Cllr Colin Parker

New Council Chair elected

Councillor Colin Parker was elected as our new Council Chair at today's Annual Council meeting.

A town councillor since 2007, district councillor since 2011, and former Mayor of Newton Abbot, Cllr Parker has spent much of his life in the financial services industry but will be retiring this week in order to represent the council in this new role. 

Council Chair Cllr Colin Parker and Vice Chair Cllr Lorraine Evans

Cllr Parker (pictured, right, with Vice Chair Lorraine Evans) said:  “I am honoured and privileged to be elected to Chair of Teignbridge District Council. 

“Rest assured I will treat the position with the highest regard.  I commend Councillor Petherick on his year of Chair and related duties – throughout a difficult year of the pandemic, he has coped in a very dignified manner.

“We are now in a much better position than we have been for a long time, but I must stress caution.  It will be a while before we all feel at ease with the situation. 

“All through my life I have tried to treat everyone with whom I come into contact in a straightforward, respectful and fair manner.  I will endeavour to continue this, and irrespective of our views, it is my expectation that all of us will follow similar principles.   Thank you for putting your trust in me.”

Read more...


A382

Vital new link to Newton Abbot will provide 'huge economic boost'

Teignbridge District Council leader Alan Connett has welcomed a major road improvement project linking Newton Abbot and the A38.

The third phase of the scheme - announced earlier this week, is the final step in this major project which will improve safety, journey reliability and cycle and pedestrian movements on the A382.  It will also improve the safety at junctions with roundabouts and safe waiting areas, improve cycle and pedestrian routes on Exeter Road and provide a new modern gateway to Newton Abbot.


Clean Devon

Join the Great British Spring Clean

Residents are being encouraged to join Keep Britain Tidy 's #MillionMileMission as part of the Great British Spring clean this year.

Clean Devon, a county-wide partnership of local authorities and other organisations is backing the campaign, and is encouraging residents across the district to organise a group clean-up or pledge to do their own individual litter pick.

Find out more...


Teignmouth Railway Station celebrates 175 years

Teignmouth railway station platform 1

Happy birthday to Teignmouth Railway Station, which celebrates its 175th anniversary this Sunday (May 30).  The station was opened by the South Devon Railway Company on 30 May 1846 as the terminus of its first section from Exeter.  The line was extended to Newton Abbot on 31 December 1846. 

Teignmouth was the original headquarters of the South Devon Railway and was locally dubbed the 'Noah's Ark'.

When first built the station was situated between two tunnels but the West Tunnel was opened out by June 1881 and the Eastcliffe Tunnel leading to the sea wall was removed by 1884, when the distinctive lattice girder bridge at the end of the Sea Wall was installed.


Executive to consider local plan consultation

Local Plan

Members of the Executive Committee will be asked on Tuesday (1 June) to give the go-ahead for a public consultation on the second phase of the Local Plan development.  

If approved, the eight week consultation starting on 14 June will ask the public and stakeholders to comment on around 100 sites identified as places where future housing provision could be provided as part of our Local Plan, which will run until 2040.

The sites including options for housing development, employment land and a secondary school as well as seeking suggestions for gypsy and traveller sites and renewable energy provision.

The consultation will be launched online and through paper copies available in public buildings including libraries and through town and parish councils.


Go for the Flow

Those in the know go for the flow

We're supporting Devon's Go for the Flow campaign to encourage people across the county to take twice-weekly rapid lateral flow tests, helping identify those who may unknowingly have the virus and breaking the chain of transmission. 

While the country slowly reopens after a year of coronavirus restrictions, taking part in regular testing will help us all as we ease out of lockdown by picking up any cases in the community. 

If you're out and about either for work or socially, please make sure you take part in regular flow testing, just to be on the safe side.

Further information on testing is available on the Devon website. 


Get on your bike and join the challenge!

As part of our commitment to tackling the climate emergency, why not Join thousands of people all across the UK and enjoy the simple pleasure of riding a bike? Cycling remains a great way to keep fit and active - so join the thousands of people taking part in the virtual #7daysofcycling challenge!

Bike week

Otters arrive in Newton Abbot

Otterly beautiful!  Sculptures arrive in Newton Abbot

Six stunning sculptures of otters with cubs - all designed and decorated by local and national artists - have appeared in Newton Abbot for the launch of a new arts project today.

Moor Otters is a feel-good public arts project that gathers up young and old for an amazing journey of learning and discovery, creating stories and making memories.

The six sculptured, dotted across the town centre and market areas, are part of 81 decorated otter with cub sculptures released across Dartmoor to create four arts trails, standing tall on plinths waiting to be spotted. There will also be a Mayflower trail in Plymouth and several otters in gateway towns and villages.

At the end of the summer ‘otter-spotters’ as well as art collectors and individuals, will have the opportunity to give their favourite Otter a new home when they are auctioned to raise funds for Donate for Dartmoor supporting vital conservation and access projects in the National Park


Homeless - courtesy of LGA

Successful bid to combat rough sleeping

Teignbridge has been successful in leading on a joint bid with Souths Hams and West Devon Councils to the Rough Sleeper Initiative fund.

Our total joint allocation for the financial year 2021/22 is £344,016 of ring fenced funding.

The funds will enable the continuation of key interventions funded through the RSI funding stream over the past three years.  (image:  Courtesy of LGA)


Are you an analyst who wants to make a difference to lives?

A joint role is now available for an Impact Research Analyst - working with Space Youth Service and our Turning Corners Programme.  The role will also work across Space services to lead research on the impact of our work, to evidence best practice and demonstrate young people's needs. Working with colleagues from across Space you will have a passion for telling a story ensuring that complex information and insight is translated into meaningful information to support this important work.


beach teignbridge

Be beach safe this bank holiday!

If you're thinking of hitting one of our beautiful beaches this bank holiday, or venturing to one further afield, make sure you stay safe and follow the beach safety guidelines.

And to help keep visitors safe through the summer, the RNLI has launched a beach safety campaign across the South West, which is expecting to attract over 30m visitors this summer.  The key summer safety advice for residents and visitors alike, is to visit a lifeguarded beach, to swim between the red and yellow flags; and if you're in trouble, to float on your back until help arriv


111 campaign targets holidaymakers

111 holiday

In anticipation of a significant increase in visitors to Devon this summer NHS services are gearing up for additional pressures on our region’s busy hospitals.

As the summer approaches, the NHS is approaching local businesses to help keep the NHS safe and alleviate the pressure on emergency departments.

It can be confusing to know which NHS service is the right one for your needs when there are so many options, particularly if you are a visitor to the area and unfamiliar with local services.

Local businesses approached for advice by customers need to remember just one number - 111.

The 111 campaign aims to signpost people to one service which can be used for urgent medical advice and it applies both to residents and visitors who are here for the summer.

Please share with local businesses and visitors and let them  know there’s only one service visitors and residents need to call for any medical needs this summer.


From 17 May gatherings of up to 30 people outdoors will be allowed.  Please remember to keep your distance

Latest government guidance

When the further relaxation in lockdown rules came into effect on Monday,  the Government updated its guidance to help people stay safe in different scenarios.  


Job vacancies
Beach image - don't leave litter
enjoy this bank holiday safely