More council tax energy rebate payments made this week
Following last week's successful first payment of the £150 energy council tax rebate, we have processed a further 26,000 payments which have been distributed this week in two batches.
Almost 10,000 payments were processed on Tuesday with payments received yesterday; with a further 16,000 processed yesterday, which will arrive in bank accounts on Monday (9 May).
This means that some 31,000 residents who pay their council tax by direct debit will have received the £150 energy rebate.
A total of £4.6 million has been paid with further payments being processed next week. More details about the payment process is on our website.
|
Beware of tax rebate scams
We’ve had reports of fraudsters cold calling residents, pretending they are from the council, asking for bank details so that the £150 council tax energy rebate can be made.
We will never cold call you to ask for your bank details.
Money is being paid directly into the accounts of those who pay their council tax by direct debit. For those who don't, an application process is being set up and we will write to eligible households once that system is in place.
|
Getting out walking is a great way of improving your mental wellbeing. Did you know that there are over 3500 miles of footpaths and trails waiting to be discovered in Devon.
So why not check out these recommended routes!
It's also - Naturally Healthy May!
As part of ‘Naturally Healthy May’ Devon has teamed up with Active Devon and the Devon Local Nature Partnership to encourage us all to connect more with nature, spend time with friends and family, learn new skills, meet new people, and increase our activity levels outside.
To find out about events in May that you can take part in please visit the Active Devon Activity finder.
|
Getting into outdoors - Green Spaces Countryside Ranger Project
In Teignbridge we have a number of initiatives, led by our countryside rangers, to help connect people who are socially isolated, struggling with low mood or anxiety to connect to nature and make social connections. They take place in a variety of our green spaces between April – September.
The Getting Into Outdoors projects can be accessed through 'social prescribing' and runs in three strands - a women only walk after work; conservation volunteering, and walks for parents and carers of children under two, which involves natural exploration.
|
The project is delivered in conjunction with Active Devon, and also addresses our commitment to Climate Change reduction through our conservation work.
For anyone who would like to lend a hand looking after local wildlife habitat; or if you have been feeling isolated and would like to join a guided walk locally, or if you have pre-schoolers that you would like to explore our green spaces with and learn along the way.
|
Seafront streetlights being replaced
Work to replace around 40 streetlights along Teignmouth seafront is underway
Devon County Council removed 10 of the columns last October as a safety precaution, after defects were found during routine inspections.
Installation of the new streetlights is expected to be completed by the first week in June.
The new low energy LED lights will include sensors to enable lighting times and brightness to be controlled remotely. The galvanised steel columns will also be installed with power supplies to enable CCTV to be added as well as additional lighting such as Christmas lights.
|
Bandstand reopens
The substantial repair work carried out on the bandstand in Courtenay Park in Newton Abbot over recent months has been completed and it has been reopened in time for Sunday's concert when the Okehampton Excelsior Silver Band will be playing from 2.30.
|
Choose the right NHS service for faster response
High numbers of people needing hospital treatment has led Devon NHS to ask everyone to choose the best service for their condition to get faster treatment and keep the emergency department for life threatening conditions.
And those with family or friends who are ready to be discharged can help by picking them up as soon as they are ready to go home, freeing up the bed for other patients who need them.
Here's how you can get the best and quickest treatment for your condition and hep the NHS:
- Use your local pharmacist for minor conditions such as insect bites, ear ache and skin rashes.
- Use NHS 111 – online or by phone if you need advice or medical treatment quickly and can’t wait to see your GP. If you need to be seen by a Minor Injuries or Emergency Department they can book you in.
- Get vaccinated against Covid-19. Have both jabs and your booster if you are eligible
- Stay away from hospitals if you have Covid symptoms or diarrhoea and vomiting
- Use the HANDi paediatric app for advice on common childhood illnesses and when to seek help
Could you be a volunteer magistrate?
Are you looking for a way of learning new skills and giving back to your community that fits in with your working life?
The Ministry of Justice is looking to recruit over 4,000 new magistrates as part of a national recruitment drive.
Magistrates are volunteers from all walks of life who hear cases in courts in their community. They can hear cases in the criminal court, the family court, or both. You don’t need any special qualifications or experience to be a magistrate – you are given all the training you need, plus ongoing support. You just need to be between 18 and 70 and prepared to give up at least 13 days a year for five years.
|
 |
|
Volunteers needed
This month's Alice Cross newsletter has been published.
Alice Cross' provision of its three times a week meal service is being made challenging by a lack of volunteers. If you know of anyone who can spare an hour a week to deliver meals either walking or driving, the Centre would love to hear from them!
|
Domestic NHS COVID Pass ending
The Government has announced that from 12 May, the NHS COVID Pass will no longer be available, meaning that venues and events will no longer be able to request it as a condition of entry.
The medical exemptions service will also no longer accept new applications from people who want to use the domestic NHS COVID Pass to prove they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
The NHS COVID Pass for international travel will continue to be available.
Over 5s NHS Covid Pass for Travel
Fully vaccinated children aged 5 and over can now get an NHS COVID Pass letter for travel. It can be requested via the NHS website or by calling 119. For more information visit the website.
|
