'Stand with Ukraine’ vigil being held Saturday
Local charity Newton Abbot Crisis Aid is organising a vigil for Ukraine on Saturday (5 March) at 11.45 for 12 noon at the Newton Abbot war memorial, where a two-minute silence will be held.
All are welcome to join and show support for and solidarity with Ukraine. Consider wearing yellow and/or blue if attending and the organisers hope to have a Ukrainian guest speaker.
NCA, which works for and on behalf of refugees worldwide, will be distributing a leaflet with details of the organisation and an invitation to a meeting at 7pm on Monday evening at the Avenue Church. Further details from Cllr Gordon Hook or Chairman Andrew Rose (07974841060).
Pension fund and Russian-owned stock
A number of questions have been received from local media and members of the public about the Devon Pension Fund (of which Teignbridge is a member) and potential investments in Russian-owned stock. Devon County Council has issued a statement on this on behalf of the member local authorities:
A Devon County Council spokesman said: “Devon’s pension funds are invested through the Brunel Pension Partnership. Brunel has already put a stop to making any new investments in Russia. Devon currently has around 0.05 per cent of its fund invested in Russia and Brunel is now selling off these assets on our behalf.”
Helping refugees
Devon's local authorities, including Devon County and District Councils and the Devon Association of Local Councils, have pledged to work together to support Ukrainian refugees seeking sanctuary in the UK, and have each condemned Russia's actions.
They have agreed to give particular support to families in Devon whose relatives in Ukraine are fleeing the conflict.
Devon councils have long worked together, alongside health and voluntary sector partners and local communities, to provide safe sanctuary and resettlement for refugees, most recently Syrian families and those fleeing conflict in Afghanistan.
Clothing donations being ruined
Local people donating clothes at banks run by charities are being urged not to leave them on the pavement if they are full.
Many clothes which people are kindly donating are being ruined because they are being left exposed to the Spring weather. However well intentioned, leaving the clothes outside the banks make them unusable and cause the usual fly tipping problems.
If a clothes bank is full, please take them to another bank which has capacity or hold on to them until there is space to take the items you want to leave.
|
Weekend walk-in vaccination clinics
 A list of ‘walk-in’ sites can be found here and vaccinations can be booked via the national booking service or by ringing 119
Remembering those who died in the pandemic
A memorial tree is to be planted in the grounds of Old Forde House in memory of all those in Teignbridge who lost their lives in the pandemic.
The memorial tree planting service, led by Chairman of Teignbridge District Council, Cllr Colin Parker, will be held at 2pm on Wednesday 23 March.
Cllr Parker and Teignbridge Members will be joined by mayors, council chairs and senior officers from across the district. Representatives of emergency services and the voluntary sector have also been invited to attend.
The memorial tree is a Liquidambar styraciflua (‘Sweet Gum’ tree) which provides rich autumn colour.
Places running out fast
Almost 400 parents from across the district have signed up to attend the first of three ‘Let’s Talk Teenagers’ webinars.
The sessions aim to help parents and carers understand and support their teenagers as they grow up in today’s challenging world.
The first webinar, on Tuesday (8 March), focuses on communities and family life with subsequent sessions covering respectful relationships (March 15) and building stronger families (March 22).
If you want to attend all three, you must sign up to each individually. Booking to attend the first webinar on Tuesday doesn’t automatically reserve you a place at the other two.
The 90 minutes sessions, which all start at 7pm, will be delivered on Teams, and a free booklet will accompany the webinar, which will be sent out to attendees after the event. Find out more or sign up for the webinar.
|
#BreakTheBias
Tuesday is International Women’s Day, where across the world we celebrate women’s achievements, and take action to tackle bias, discrimination and stereotyping.
The day values and celebrates difference but strives towards a diverse, equitable and inclusive world.
Across Teignbridge we are fortunate to have some incredible women fulfilling key roles and contributing so much to the wellbeing of our communities. Join in using the #IWD2022 #BreaktheBias on social media.
|
Wasting food feeds climate change
 Every bit of leftover food has an environmental impact - whether it's that soggy bag of salad or last night's leftovers. And while governments and businesses have an important part to play in fixing the climate crisis, food waste from UK households produces roughly 25million tonnes of CO2 every year.
That's why on 7 March we'll be joining millions of concerned citizens for Food Waste Action Week 2022. This year the spotlight is on an unsung hero which lives in most British kitchens and could save you money as well as help save the environment. The humble microwave. Learn how to defrost frozen food like a ninja and you could be well on your way to saving an average of £730 a year!
It's time for ordinary citizens to roll up their sleeves and make sure food is used to feed people instead of bins, to help fix the climate crisis. If you're hungry for change, visit the Love Food Hate Waste website to find out how you can get involved today
South West Energy Hub’s Green Homes Grant scheme
Thousands of letters are being sent to Teignbridge residents by E.On highlighting the help that is available through its Green Homes Grant scheme.
Residents can benefit from free energy efficiency improvements such as insulation and low carbon technologies worth up to £10,000.
Tenants of rented properties can also access grants of up to £5,000 for energy efficiency upgrades but their landlord will be expected to contribute at least one third towards the cost of works.
To be eligible for the grants residents must receive benefits or have a household income below £30,000 per annum and the EPC for the property must be rated D, E, F or G.
If you think you might be eligible, go to the E.ON Green Homes Grant on line and apply.
Also take a look at energy savings for home owners and energy savings for landlords on our website.
|
Our new look update
You may have noticed our residents' newsletter has had a makeover! As we begin the next phase of 'living with Covid', we've decided to change the format so this is a more general update of all things Council and Teignbridge-related.
We will of course continue to update you on any changes relating to Covid but we will be focusing more on a wider range of activity taking place in the district or affecting Teignbridge.
We hope you'll continue to find this newsletter useful and interesting, but if you no longer want to receive it please go to the unsubscribe link at the foot of the newsletter.
New bridge installed at Marsh Barton rail station site
A new pedestrian and cycle bridge has been lifted into place as part of the development of Marsh Barton railway station.
The installation of the 16-metre span structure over the railway line, which took place in the early hours of Saturday (26 February) morning, is a major milestone in the project. To minimise disruption, the bridge lift coincided with a pre-planned weekend closure of the line.
|
New Year Honours 2023 nomination
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is inviting nominations for the New Year 2023 Honours list, which will be published in December 2022. Honours are an important way of recognising the incredible efforts of people who have made a significant achievement or contribution to society that is above and beyond their recognised role. You can nominate someone for an Honour or Award.
Sport England storm relief grants
Matched funding grants of up to £15,000 are available from Sport England to local not-for-profit groups and public organisations in England to repair any damage caused to community sport facilities by recent storms such as Storm Eunice and Storm Franklin.
An emergency storm relief grant scheme has been created and organisations with facilities – such as clubhouses, courts and pitches – affected by the recent storms can now apply for grants of up to £15,000. The aim of the fund is to ensure community sports facilities aren’t forgotten and are ready to reopen as soon as possible.
LGBT+ Futures: Equity Fund
Consortium and its Community Collaborators, working in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund, have announced the launch of the LGBT+ Futures: Equity Fund.
£465,000 is available through small grants to LGBT+ groups and organisations who are community-led and whose primary focus is one of their five priority targeted areas: Trans and Non-Binary people; those facing racial injustice; D/deaf and/or Disabled people; older people; and Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans+ Women.
Grants will be available for organisational running costs, projects and organisational / leadership development and can range from £100 - £25,000.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and the programme will close to new applications on 30 October 2022.
|
