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Teignbridge is supporting Devon County Council (which is in discussion with the Government over additional resources) and its public health team as well as Public Health England and NHS Devon, to do everything it can to slow down the increase in infections, and help protect vulnerable communities and the NHS from the impact of this rise.
As a result of being part of an Enhanced Response Area, you might spot some Government advertising vans in your area next week reminding people to take precautions while cases are high.
Council Leader Alan Connett said: “Teignbridge and the rest of Devon and Cornwall have been an extremely popular holiday destination this year, especially with the big fall in overseas breaks.
“There has been a rapid surge in the number of Covid cases across the South West and, thankfully, due to the uptake in vaccinations we’re not seeing the rise in cases resulting in as many people becoming really poorly this time.
“However, there are still concerns about the number of young people being admitted to hospital with the virus – which is four times higher than the pandemic peak last Winter. We still need to do everything we can to protect everyone from the impact of the virus and the potential long term effects, and also safeguard the NHS, and our colleagues who work in it.
“We welcome the additional measures that help keep our residents and communities safe, whilst also ensuring our businesses, and particularly our hospitality industry, remain open and viable.
“You, your family, friends and neighbours can help by making sure they have their two vaccinations, limit social contacts and meet outdoors where possible and through having regular tests and following the isolation guidelines when positive, and by following public health advice.”
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Public Health is advising people to take the following measures whilst rates continue to be high:
Professor Mike Wade, Deputy Regional Director and NHS Regional Director for Public Health England South West said: “With cases of COVID remaining high everyone is asked to continue to act carefully and responsibly.
“Day trippers, holidaymakers and residents need to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 and continue to exercise caution."
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Booster for the most vulnerable
Following this week’s decision to offer a third vaccine dose to people aged 12 and over with severely weakened immune systems, the NHS will be contacting people as soon as possible to discuss their needs and arrange an appointment for a third dose where clinically appropriate.
Marking Merchant Navy Day
Pictured before the Red Ensign was raised above Forde House today are Council Chair Cllr Colin Parker and Council Porter John Bentley.
Merchant Navy Day aims to raise public awareness of the UK’s ongoing dependence on seafarers.
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HGV driver shortage continues to cause disruption
Thanks to additional weekend working by our refuse teams, we are currently maintaining all services but some collections may be delayed by 24- 48 hours. We are sorry for any disruption this may cause, and are asking people to leave their bins out until they have been collected.
An increasing shortage of HGV drivers is the main reason for the disruption and despite our best efforts we have been unable to retain all our drivers or recruit replacements. We currently have 10 HGV (Category C) driver vacancies and we would welcome applications from any interested people with HGV licenses.
If you know of any Category C HGV drivers looking for work, please ask them to get in touch via our recruitment web site or they can call Mark Pepper (01626 361101) for an informal chat.
We are looking to move staff within the organisation and to train them as drivers but this will not have an immediate effect due to the length of training required and delays in license tests due to the pandemic.
Unfortunately, unless we can fill our HGV vacancies, further disruption is likely to continue.
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Decarbonisation work delayed
Work to improve the carbon efficiency on our leisure centres and Lido have been delayed, due to difficulties obtaining grid connection consents.
The changes will reduce heating costs and extend the life of the Lido by installing low carbon source heat pumps and other lower energy saving devices.
We’re now making good progress with our orders placed on long-lead equipment items and contractors are lined up to carry out the work over the autumn and winter months with completion now scheduled in March 2022. Thank you for bearing with us.
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Walking and cycling consultation now live
The month-long consultation on our 'Heart of Teignbridge Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan' (LCWIP) is now underway.
Through the consultation we will identify gaps in the existing active travel network across Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton and Kingskerswell, and feedback will help us decide how we will invest in future walking and cycling routes over the next 10-20 years.
The draft plan has been drawn up with Devon County Council and the consultation runs until 1 October. You can take part by:
- Completing the online questionnaire. Paper copies of the questionnaire are available on request.
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Back to school
Devon County Council has produced a special back to school issue of its ConnectMe which includes lots of supports and guidance for parents, and what Covid arrangements will be in place for the new school year.
HMRC can help with childcare costs
Families may be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare to help pay for breakfast and after school clubs as children go back to school.
Families are eligible to save money on their childcare and benefit from a government top-up worth up to £2,000 every year, or up to £4,000 a year if a child is disabled. In June this year, about 29,250 families in the South West benefited from using Tax-Free Childcare, but thousands are missing out on this opportunity.
Tax-Free Childcare is available to eligible parents or carers who have children aged up to 11, or 17 if their child is disabled. For every £8 a parent or carer deposits into their account, they will receive a £2 top-up, up to the value of £500 every three months, or £1,000 if their child is disabled. Parents and carers can check their eligibility and register for Tax-Free Childcare via GOV.UK.
The cycling event of the year is finally here...
Don't forget The Tour of Britain comes to Devon on Monday (6 September) and will pass through Torcross at 12.40pm and Moretonhampstead at 14.57.
You can check out the full Devon schedule on the Devon Tour of Britain website and DCC has published a spectators' guide.
Mobile Boost Scheme
People struggling with poor indoor mobile coverage may benefit from Connecting Devon and Somerset’s decision to expand its Mobile Boost Programme, which aims to upgrade indoor 4G coverage in “not-spot” areas.
Businesses and households can apply for a voucher of up to £1200 towards the cost of one of a number of mobile signal booster options from a registered supplier. The value of the voucher will be dependent on the type of technology most suitable for the premises and suppliers will be able to advise on this. Businesses and residents will be required to make a contribution which, depending on the option chosen, will range from £200 for installation to a monthly fee for a SIM card (averaging circa £30 per month).
You can find out more at Connecting Devon and Somerset website.
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Lottery support for action on climate change
A new £2.5million National Lottery-funded programme to support communities across the UK take action on climate change has opened for applications.
Together for Our Planet offers grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 to locally-based UK charitable organisations and social enterprises, including CICs, for small-scale projects that address climate change in their locality.
The application deadline is 5pm on Thursday 18 November 2021.
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Proposals to trial automatic switching energy tariffs
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is consulting on trialling a new system in 2024 where some consumers on costly tariffs would be automatically switched to cheaper ones unless they opt out. The proposals also include creating a framework for ‘opt-in switching’ by 2024, where consumers on the most expensive tariffs would receive personalised switching advice to switch to a better value tariff. The consultation closes on 15 October.
Covid testing following festival attendance
Anyone who has recently attended a festival, including those who fully vaccinated, are being asked by the government to take a Lateral Flow test.
The government is advising that people who attended a festival over the bank holiday weekend should also continue to test twice a week, to help identify cases early and stop onward transmission.
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