Council news

Shaldon Approach golf maintenance There will be some disruption for golfers when some maintenance and repair work is carried out on the course on Thursday and Friday (8 & 9 June). The damaged catch netting and frame on the fifth tee - the nearest tee to Torquay Road - is being replaced and a gap in the timber fencing at the top of the course,  which is also adjacent to Torquay Road, will be filled. Our contractor will keep disruption to golfers to a minimum while this works is carried out.

Maintenance issues delay water features opening

Unexpected maintenance issues at the Den in Teignmouth and Decoy Park in Newton Abbot, which required new parts, have delayed the opening of the water features. 

We were unable to test the water until this work was completed and we are awaiting these results.  As soon as we have them, and providing they meet the required standards, we will open the water features as soon as we can and hopefully within the next couple of weeks.

We appreciate how frustrating this is and have apologised for the delay in opening and the lack of information about these issues.

Official opening for Teignmouth Lido

Chairman Cllr Chris Clarance formally opened the Lido today, watched by Council Leader Martin Wrigley, Vice Chairman and Teignmouth Central councillor, David Cox and Executive Member for Sport and Recreation Cllr John Nutley.

The councillors chatted to staff and customers who were delighted that the Lido had reopened for the summer season.

A combination of Covid and a £800,000 decarbonisation investment (see below), which replaced the heating and lighting systems, has meant that the pool has not opened for the past three years.

But with the sunny weather local people and visitors have been flocking to the Lido with the latest figures showing some 1500 people have visited it in the first few days of opening.

The Lido offers activities for visitors of all ages including lane and family swimming.  Take a look at the free Teignbridge Leisure App or go to the Teignbridge Leisure website to see the timetable of activities to find out more.

In addition to the swimming pool and stunning views of the sea, the Lido has a seated area around the pool, changing rooms with hot showers and toilets, lockers to keep your belongings safe (20p coin to use) and vending machines for drinks and snacks. 

Impact of decarbonisation work at Teignmouth Lido

Following last weekend’s opening of the Teignmouth Lido, the impact of the grant- funded decarbonisation project is being seen with more than a quarter of its energy usage coming from renewable sources. 

The project involved replacing gas boilers with air source heat pumps to supply the pool and changing rooms with low carbon heat, installing solar panels on the pool-side sun terrace combined with battery energy storage to supply the site with renewable energy, and the provision of an energy management system to increase energy efficiency and performance.  The graphic below shows the electricity supply mix on first day of the season last Saturday, with solar energy (shown in yellow) supplying 26%, battery energy (shown in blue) supplying 4%, and the grid (shown in red) supplying 70% of the site’s total energy demand.  The project will reduce our carbon footprint by 63 tonnes CO2 per year, the equivalent of taking 35 cars off the road, and follows in pursuit of our Carbon Action Plan .

£100 of vouchers for taking part in study to tackle climate change 

There's still time for you to get involved and join those who have already volunteered to help tackle climate change by taking part in our new study to reduce Teignbridge’s carbon footprint The study - Making Changes - aims to support people who want to reduce their energy, food and transport costs, whilst leading an active and healthy lifestyle and reducing their carbon footprint. The study will shape a series of carbon-saving actions in our emerging district-wide Carbon Action Plan based on residents’ experience gained over the next six months.  Those taking part will be asked to attend some online interactive workshops on Transport, Energy, Home & Food and will be encouraged to set personal goals and assess the impact of changes on their lives and their carbon footprint.    We’re looking for Teignbridge residents of all different ages and backgrounds to take part and for local people who may have different perspectives on reducing our carbon footprint.   In return for taking part, you will receive vouchers up to the value of £100 to spend on a range of local food producers.   More information and how to take part is on our website.

Chance for landlords to get up to speed with the rental market 

We've teamed up with East Devon, Exeter and Mid Devon Councils to run for landlords, Rent Smart Devon (formerly the Renting Minefield), on Thursday 6 July,  2.00pm to 8.00pm at Exeter Racecourse, Haldon Hill, Exeter EX6 7XS Supported by the National Residential Landlords Association, there will be exhibitions from specialist companies covering many aspects of property management, as well as support organisations available to help smooth the tenancy pathway. A range of experts will be on hand to answer questions from landlords and a number of bite-size presentations will be timetabled throughout the event. If you know any landlords, please encourage them to book a free place online

A successful moth night

IpplePlanet joined forces with Teignbridge Rangers and local moth experts recently to run a moth trapping night at Orley Common near Ipplepen.  This special limestone site, managed by Teignbridge Rangers with the help of volunteers, is packed with wildflowers supporting a wealth of minibeasts.

Members of Devon Moth Group, including Chairman Dr Richard Fox, brought none harmful light traps to attract and identify species for people to see, which were then also recorded to help build a picture of how moths are doing. The evening was attended by local people of all ages who also listened to the sounds of bats chasing moths on a bat detector.

Pictured from left to right are some of the people taking part, a privet hawk moth (Britain's largest moth) a green arches and a puss moth.

Council vacancies: Coastal and Drainage Manager, Contracts and Programmes Officer,  Head of Digital, Housing Caseworker, Independent Persons, Landscape Officer,  Senior Arboricultural Officer

Leisure vacancies:  Lifeguard, Casual leisure roles – Swimming Teachers,  Class Instructor, Sports Coach Level 1

Waste & Recycling: Loader, Van Driver Labourer, Waste Project Officer

Full details of all vacancies and closing dates for applying are on our jobs portal.

Other news

Be safe in the sea

With the warm sunny weather forecast to continue into next week, many of us will be heading to our wonderful coastline to enjoy the sandy beaches and to take a dip in the sea.

The RNLI has told us that there has been an increase in water related incidents over the past few days with multiple rescues at Dawlish Warren and a life saved at Teignmouth.

There have been some strong rip currents, particularly around the groynes and a combination of these, waves and easterly winds have caused problems for some swimmers. 

Before heading to the coast check out the tides and take a look at the RNLI safety guidance and where possible choose one that has lifeguard patrols such as Teignmouth and Dawlish Warren.  Keep an eye on children and don’t swim alone.  Using inflatables is also not advisable in such conditions. If you do get into trouble, don’t panic and follow the RNLI’s five Float to Live steps.

In an emergency call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

Make sure your children are safe Next week is Child Safety Week – a campaign run annually by the Child Accident Prevention Trust to encourage thousands of safety conversations and activities UK-wide. The Trust aims to help families build confidence and skills in managing the real risks to children’s safety.

This year The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Child Accident Prevention Trust, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and leading animal welfare organisations  are urging people to be dog safe and keep an eye on dogs when they are around children The Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG) Dog Safety Code highlights three crucial messages that all dog owners and families need to know: Be alert – always keep an eye on your dog around kids. Never leave them alone together Be aware – dogs use signals to tell us how they feel – what is your dog telling you? Be safe – any dog can bite. Accidents happen fast For more practical tips read the  Child Accident Prevention Trust’s dog safety fact sheets.

£500 grants for wildlife groups

The Wild About Devon grant scheme aims to provide an easy way for community groups to access small amounts of funding to start a wildlife group or carry out activities that promote wildlife.

Community Wildlife Groups, Town / Parish Councils, Schools and Multi-Academy Trusts and other not-for-profit organisations can apply for the fund.

Funds can be used for advice, equipment and other resources and more details are set out in the guidelines.  Apply via the online application form.

Applications open for The Community Ownership Fund

Capital and revenue grants of up to £250,000 are available to UK voluntary, community and charitable organisations, including Community Interest Companies, to take ownership of local assets at risk of being lost to the community, such as pubs, parks, community buildings, music venues and shops. Any organisaton planning on applying must submit an Expression of Interest by Wednesday 21 June and its application by 11:59am on Wednesday 12 July 2023.  More information is on the government’s website