Energy rebate latest
Payment of the Council Tax energy rebates to the 33,000 residents who pay by direct debit will be completed by the end of today with the £150 in accounts early next week.
An online application process for some 13,000 people who pay their council tax in other ways is in its final stages of testing and should go live in the next few days.
We'll be writing to these customers, and to the few remaining direct debit customers where we've been unable to make payments, to ask them to complete this online application form which will enable them to submit their bank details securely to allow payment to be made direct to their bank account. Residents can choose to have the £150 paid against their council tax account if they prefer.
We will not contact householders by phone to ask for bank details so residents are reminded not to provide this information to anyone who cold calls claiming to be from the council.
For people on low incomes in bands E-H, we expect to have the discretionary scheme in place by the end of next month.
To help us contact householders and process payments as quickly as possible, please do not contact us to ask when your payment will be made.
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System for viewing planning documents changing
Visitors to planning applications on our website will notice a difference from next Wednesday (25 May) when we switch to a new way to manage online applications.
This means while you can view and comment on applications on Tuesday (24 ), no new documents will be added. We currently have a backlog of documents to add for new applications and are working hard to clear this and hope to be back up to date on the new system within the next couple of weeks.
The new system, which is already used by Exeter and East Devon councils, makes it easier to find and download information about planning applications and help people stay up to date with applications.
What do you think of our green spaces?
Over the past couple of years the impact of Covid-19 has meant that more and more people have been enjoying the outdoors and spending their leisure time in the many green spaces across the district.
Our green spaces team wants to know what you think about Teignbridge's parks and green spaces and what changes you would like to see. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey.
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Newton Abbot Market to host May Day dancing
Children from Wolborough Primary School are excited to be returning to the town centre with their May Day Dancing this year.
The school has been celebrating May Day by performing traditional folk dances (often with a twist!) for over 40 years and it is always a great spectacle.
Every class (including the nursery children) created their own dance and the highlight is the Maypole dances that are traditionally performed by the Year 6 children.
They would love you to come and watch them perform in the Market Square at 10am on Friday 27 May.
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Major refurbishment starts next month
 A six-week major makeover of the award-winning children's play area at the Den in Teignmouth is scheduled to get underway on 6 June and be completed in time for the school summer holidays.
The Den’s popularity means that in recent times some of the equipment has been damaged due to its frequent use and has been out of order as a result.
The six-week closure is essential to enable the refurbishment to be completed in the shortest possible time and for new equipment to be installed.
While the play park is closed, regular users might want to take a look at some of the alternatives such as the activity trail between the lighthouse and Teignmouth letters, as well as the Teignmouth history and heritage trails. Further afield there are tree trails in Forde and Courtenay Parks in Newton Abbot, as well as poetry trails in Bakers Park, Decoy Country Park and Homeyards Botanical Gardens.
Dedication of staff and volunteers the secret of Blue Flag success
As well as being good news for beach lovers, last Friday’s Awards announcement was not just recognition of the quality of our beaches but also of the fantastic work that our staff and volunteers do throughout the year to achieve such high standards
Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth Town beaches received the Keep Britain Tidy Blue Flag and Dawlish, Coryton Cove and Ness Cove received a Seaside Award.
Executive member for Recreation Cllr John Nutley thanked Keep Britain Tidy for the awards and congratulated everyone who worked so hard all year round to maintain the quality of our beaches.
“Winning these awards is a tremendous tribute to the hard work of our resorts team and volunteers who work all year round to keep our beaches clean. Residents and visitors can have confidence that when they visit any of these beaches they will be enjoying some of the best in the country.”
Local Ward Member for Dawlish Warren, Cllr Linda Petherick, added: "It is absolutely wonderful how we keep winning the blue flag award and something that Dawlish Parish can be really proud of."
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Autumn COVID-19 booster jab to be offered
Millions of adults are likely to be offered another Covid-19 booster vaccination this autumn.
In interim guidance published yesterday by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) people aged over-65 as well a number of other specific groups will be eligible for another jab, to maintain protection over winter against severe COVID-19.
The JCVI says that despite Covid-19 cases falling, winter will remain the season when the threat from the virus is greatest for individuals and for health communities.
The JCVI’s current view is that a Covid-19 vaccine should be offered in the autumn to:
- Residents in a care home for older adults and staff
- Frontline health and social care workers
- All those 65 years of age and over
- Adults aged 16 to 64 years who are in a clinical risk group
Final recommendations by the JCVI will be published in due course.
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Raising Dementia awareness
This year’s Dementia Awareness week, run by the Alzheimer’s Society, is focusing on raising awareness about diagnosis.
Alzheimer's Society say its research shows that the misconception around memory loss being a sign of normal ageing is the biggest barrier to people seeking a dementia diagnosis.
With diagnosis rates falling to a five-year low, the Society wants to encourage those who might be living with undiagnosed dementia to contact them for guidance and support and feel empowered to take the next step.
Getting a diagnosis can be daunting, but the Society believes it’s better to know. And so do 91% of people affected by dementia.
If you or a loved one are experiencing memory loss, it could be a sign of something more serious and the Society encourages you to contact them for help in understanding of the symptoms are related to dementia.
Art exhibition to mark Jubilee
Bovey Tracey Society of Artists is holding a special free exhibition this year as part of The Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.
The exhibition will be held at The Studio (the old library building), Abbey Road, Bovey Tracey, and will run from Monday 30 May to Sunday 5 June from 10am to 4pm.
A wide range of work by local artists will be on display, including sketches, watercolours, pastels, acrylics and oil paintings.
Watch out for next week's newsletter for more news and information on what's happening across Teignbridge to mark the Jubilee weekend.
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