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With case numbers in Teignbridge above the national average, both the NHS and Public Health in Devon are reminding everyone how they can play a part in restricting the spread of the Covid-19 and flu viruses.
The number of patients in Devon’s hospitals with Covid-19 almost doubled in the first three weeks of October according to the NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group. NHS staff absences due to Covid have also risen to almost one in three compared to one in five at the beginning of October, with 810 NHS staff in Devon off work.
Medical Director of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Ian Currie said: “We need you to stand by us this autumn and winter. If our staff are off sick with Covid, they won’t be there to treat you or your family when you need us. For every Covid patient in hospital we need to postpone, on average, another 8 operations. That means more pain and anxiety for people on our waiting lists.”
The NHS is highlighting six actions we should all be taking, including wearing a mask, getting vaccinated and keeping your distance.
Devon’s Director of Public Health, Steve Brown, says that we need to “double down on our efforts to stop cases increasing” to avoid any re-introduction of restrictions as we head towards winter.
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"The more cases there are in the community, the more risk there is to us personally of catching and spreading it to our families and friends.
“Even though it’s not mandatory to do so, we all need to think about wearing face coverings in crowded and indoor places when mixing with others and as required when on public transport. Remember, others benefit from you wearing your face covering, so it needs all of us to do the right thing by each other and remember the importance of face coverings.
“When mixing with others try to socialise outdoors, perhaps to enjoy an autumnal walk. If indoors, remember the importance of ventilation. Keeping a little distance from each other is still an effective way to reduce risk to ourselves and others.”
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Visit the new Garden Community website
A new website dedicated to Newton Abbot & Kingsteignton Garden Community was launched this week, providing updates on the programme and information on current and upcoming Garden Community projects.
Browse the interactive map for the latest project news and visit ‘Current Projects’ to read more about the planned transformation of Newton Abbot’s market and cultural quarters, Connecting to Nature, and the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). These sections will be updated regularly.
You can also find out how engagement with local residents, business owners, technical experts and political partners has helped shaped the vision and themes for the Garden Community programme.
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Executive to consider next stage in local plan consultation
Next week’s Executive (2 November) will be asked to approve an eight week consultation starting at the end of November seeking residents’ views on possible renewable energy sites as well as site options for small new housing development and for a new gypsy and travellers’ site.
The Executive starts at 10.00 am and can be followed on our webcast service.
This latest effort to involve local people in the local plan preparation follows the consultation held earlier this year on site options for residential, employment and school developments. This followed last year’s consultation on core polices which will shape all future development under the proposed new local plan which, if approved, would run until 2040.
Given the large number of people responding to the previous two virtual consultations, the Executive is being asked to stick to the same approach with documents and a feedback questionnaire being available on-line as well as being available in Town and Parish Council offices, libraries and at Forde House.
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Opportunity to become a key worker?
Proud to Care Devon has launched a campaign to recruit 2,000 more Care Workers urgently in the county, particularly in domiciliary care and care homes.
The core 'Find Your Calling' campaign content is a powerful and emotive film, designed to inspire people to consider a role in care.
The 'Find Your Calling' campaign is encouraging those looking for training opportunities to consider if their skills and values are suitable for a career in care.
Proud to Care is offering free one-to-one telephone support to find out if a job in care is right for you. People do not necessarily need qualifications or previous experience. What’s important are their core skills, values and your attitudes towards working with people who need care.
Thanks to the European Social Fund, there are free and flexible courses to support people to find the right role, or to take a step up, in health and social care. Courses are being offered by partners across Devon including Learn Devon, City College Plymouth, South Devon College, Exeter College and Petroc.
The 'Find Your Calling' campaign aims to mobilise an army of new care workers in Devon, encouraging people with the right values and core skills to apply. The campaign calls for people to register their interest by completing a quick online form. Applicants will get a call back and the offer of free one-to-one support to find out if a job in care and health is right for them.
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Looking for something to do on Halloween?
Dawlish Countryside Park is running a free Halloween Arts & Crafts activity session from 1 - 3pm on Sunday and all ages are welcome. Why not drop in?
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Why not join the wellbeing walk in Teignmouth
From Tuesday (2 November), a new weekly wellbeing walk will take place in Teignmouth. Meet at Teignmouth Lighthouse TQ14 8BN every Tuesday at 10.30am for a 10 – 30 minute stroll. Contact Chrissie Drew for more information about this and all our free walks in the district.
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Consultation on 20mph scheme is open
Whether you live in, commute or just visit Newton Abbot, you can now give your views on a 20 miles-per-hour speed limit in the town.
The consultation, which runs until Thursday November 25, is accessible through the new Newton Abbot 20 website. Additionally, ‘paper’ surveys are available at Newton’s Place and in Newton Abbot Library.
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Empty homes focus secures record low
Major efforts to reduce the number of unoccupied unfurnished homes in Teignbridge are paying dividends with the district bucking the national upward trend by reporting its lowest ever total of 305.
National figures show the number of empty homes – unfurnished properties unoccupied for six months or longer – have been steadily increasing over recent years.
But since appointing a dedicated empty homes officer in 2009, unoccupied properties in Teignbridge have fallen year on year – with the exception of 2020 - from 735 to this year’s record low of 305.
The council has streamlined processes and through working collaboratively across council departments has helped to bring largely privately owned homes back into use. Everyone involved is congratulated for their efforts.
Making cycling safer in Newton Abbot
The County’s Highway and Traffic Committee is being asked on Thursday (4 November) to approve a package of improvements to the National Cycle Network Route 2 in Newton Abbot which will make cycling through the town easier and safer.
And some of the changes will also benefit pedestrians and mobility scooter users by increasing awareness of vulnerable road users and the importance of safe layouts in particular in the town centre locality.
Councillors will be asked to agree a package of small scale improvements including better signage, a short length of two-way segregated cycle track through Cricketfield Road car park, changes along Marsh Road and junction improvements.
If approved the changes are likely to take effect next spring/summer and are the first to be financed under the Government’s Future High Streets Fund and the wider Garden Communities project.
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Supporting people in Teignmouth
The November issue of the Alice Cross newsletter has now been published, highlighting the activities it provides to support people in Teignmouth. It contains details of a number of events and fundraisers taking place during the month
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RNLI lifeguards beach patrols end on Sunday
RNLI lifeguards will hang up their wetsuits at 5pm this Sunday (31 October) for the 2021 season, not returning to beaches until next spring.
Following a busy October half-term week where beaches in the region have continued to see high visitor numbers the lifesaving charity is advising visitors to be extra cautious if they are thinking about entering the water.
And the RNLI advise people to check tides, weather and sea conditions and be realistic about your level of ability; whether kayaking, surfing or swimming, always go with someone; avoid isolated beaches so that if you do get into difficulty, there is a chance someone will see you and raise the alarm;and people are urged to look out for local signs and always wear appropriate equipment
Visit the RNLI’s website for more safety advice.
Image courtesy of RNLI and Kris Lammen
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Advance warning of rail disruption
 If you are planning to travel by rail in the coming weeks, check out the information below to see if you need to change your plans.
Network Rail will be completing a number of track renewals in Devon and Cornwall over the next couple of months which will result in some disruption to services which are set out below. Network Rail say the work is essential to keep the railway safe and to help reduce delays
More details of the following programme is on the GWR website.
Saturday 30 October and Sunday 31 October
- Work will take place in the Exeter Central area. Buses will replace trains between Exeter St Davids and Exmouth/Honiton, and services from Paignton and Barnstaple will terminate at Exeter St Davids
Sunday 14 November
- Work will take place between Liskeard and Par. Buses will replace trains between Liskeard and Par, and will also run non-stop between Plymouth and St Austell.
- There will be an amended train service between Par and Penzance.
- Trains from the east will terminate at Plymouth or Liskeard
Saturday 20 November and Sunday 21 November
- Work will take place between Plymouth and Liskeard. Buses will replace trains between Plymouth and Liskeard, and on the Tamar Valley Line to Bere Ferrers, Bere Alston, Calstock and Gunnislake
- An amended train service will operate between Liskeard and Penzance
Monday 13 to Thursday 16 December (www.gwr.com/WestCornwall)
- Work will take place in the Redruth and Penzance areas. Buses will replace trains between Truro and Penzance and on the St Ives branch line
- An amended train service will operate between Plymouth and Truro
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