Laying the foundations for social rent homes in Widecombe
Work has started on a partnership housing development in Widecombe involving Teign Housing, Widecombe Parish Council, Dartmoor National Park and the council.
The new development – made possible by a £95,000 contribution from Teignbridge, a £560,000 Homes England grant and Teign Housing funding – will see eight properties completed before the end of next year. The homes will be a mix of one-bedroom maisonette flats, and two 2-bedroom and four 3-bedroom houses.
The homes will be available for social rent and priority will be given to people who can demonstrate a strong local connection to the area. Anyone with a local connection and interested in applying should register in advance through the Devon Home Choice website
Pictured above at the official start of the development are (from L-R) Cllr Martin Wrigley, (Teignbridge Executive Member for Housing); Philip Sanders (Dartmoor National Park - Chair of Development Management Committee); Yvette Elliott (Vice-Chair Widecombe Parish Council); Jo Reece (Chief Executive Teign Housing), Cllr John Nutley.Work
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Full council to consider drivers' pay rises and a £5 increase for garden waste collection service
A national HGV drivers’ shortage resulting in a number of driver vacancies that we've been unable to fill, has prompted a proposal for an increase in salary for this role to help retain and attract new staff to Teignbridge.
An aging HGV workforce, a backlog in driver tests and the loss of European workers have all contributed to the national shortage.
Councillors are being asked at next week’s Full Council (29 November) to increase pay rates from 1 December for drivers to current market levels.
To help cover the full year cost from next year, councillors are also being asked to increase the garden waste collection charge by £5 to £55 from 1 April, raising £125,000 additional income in 2023/24 and partially offsetting the full year salary increase of £244,850.
We're also 'growing our own' workforce by providing a training route into this role. Pictured above is Dave Edwards, one of our drivers we have supported through the Drivers' Apprenticeship Course.
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Worried about money?
 We're working with Teignbridge CVS to help local residents and communities through the cost of living crisis. If you're worried about money, you can fill in this simple form to help you get the right support for you. Visit the 'Worried about Money' website now.
Supporting rural communities
Establishing a new Teignbridge community investment fund to foster growth and pilot ways of improving transport and connectivity in rural areas have been identified as the most effective ways of spending £650,000 national Rural Support Funding.
That conclusion follows widespread discussions with rural businesses and community groups, MPs, councillors and Dartmoor National Park over the most effective way of using the Government’s Levelling Up funding to tackle rural challenges.
The proposals, to be considered by Full Council next week (29 November), target rural Teignbridge communities and businesses outside of the main urban areas of Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton, Dawlish and Teignmouth.
 Vacancies: Property Maintenance Officer, Scrutiny Officer
Leisure vacancies: Leisure Assistant, Casuals - Sports Coach Level 1, Sports Coach Level 2
Waste vacancies: LGV Loader/Driver
Full details of all vacancies and closing dates for applying are on our jobs portal.
Join our Leisure Team as a Leisure Assistant
Our leisure service is looking for an enthusiastic person to join its friendly and professional team as a Leisure Assistant.
The post is for a permanent contract, 14.5 hours per week.
If you know someone who may be an experienced lifeguard / recreational assistant, a recently qualified lifeguard, or someone looking to take their first steps in the leisure industry. Teignbridge Leisure will provide full training for them
For more information, please get in touch with the Teignbridge Leisure team.
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Join for a coin at Teignbridge Leisure
Sign up for a Jam Packed Adult, Jam Packed Junior or Aquacise Membership at one of our Teignbridge Leisure Centres and pay £1 joining fee. All membership packages have zero contracts giving you complete fitness flexibility - cancel anytime! Don't delay signing up, as the offer will end once England are out of the World Cup tournament! Visit the Teignbridge Leisure Website for the complete list of membership benefits and to sign up.
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Already a member of Teignbridge Leisure?
Introduce your friend or friends to Teignbridge Leisure and help each other achieve your goals. That said, we want to reward you; it's our way of saying thank you for the introduction. As a member, you can earn two free months for every referral you make and they sign up for a direct debit or annual membership.
The more friends you refer and they sign up, the more months you can have for free - there is no limit on the number of friends you can refer!
Vaccination initiative targeting vulnerable communities
Working in partnership with communities across the county, One Devon has developed an vaccination outreach programme which aims to support uptake of the Covid 19 vaccination amongst our most vulnerable Devon communities.
As part of the outreach programme, The Outreach Covid Vaccination Fund has been established to enable organisations from the VCSE sector across the Devon County Council footprint to deliver innovative projects/initiatives/activities with vulnerable communities to help increase uptake of covid vaccinations.
Activities can include supporting vaccination outreach, building vaccine confidence and undertaking engagement with vulnerable communities such as to explore barriers to uptake.
Groups can apply for up to £10.000, which must be spent within the Devon County Council footprint. Interested VCSE groups can contact Aggie Szpinda with any questions or queries or to get help to complete your application.
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Fire and rescue service survey closes soon
If you want to take part in Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service’s annual consultation, you have until midday on Wednesday (30 November) to submit your views.
The survey seeks views from communities and businesses about the level of council tax contribution that should be set for the coming year for the Fire and Rescue Service.
You can give your views by completing an online survey.
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Switching on the Christmas lights
Tomorrow will see Father Christmas switching on Newton Abbot's Christmas lights at the Tower at 5.30pm.
It will be preceded - weather permitting - with a range of entertainment including free face painting and balloon modelling, live music, walkabout acts and street food followed by a mini Christmas Carnival Parade culminating in the switching on of the lights.
For additional details and other entertainments, please check out the Town Council's website.
Don't take risks with food
The Food Standards Agency has launched a campaign highlighting how people can make food go further without compromising safety.
This follows its latest survey which found a growing number of people are taking food safety risks because of money pressures and rising energy costs. It found that:
- 32% of participants reported that they had eaten food past its use-by date, at least once in the past month, because they couldn’t afford to buy more food.
- 18% of participants turned off a fridge and/or freezer containing food, at least once in the last month, to reduce energy bills and save money.
Find the campaign on social media by following @foodgov on Twitter, @FoodStandardsAgency on Facebook, @foodgov on Instagram and @Food Standards Agency on LinkedIn or by using #SafeFoodHacks for ideas on saving time, money and the environment through the smart use of cooking equipment and techniques.
We’ll be sharing some of their ideas on our social media accounts too.
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Cost of Living support for Devon businesses
Devon has produced a Connectme e-newsletter setting out a range of support for businesses dealing with cost of living challenges.
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