Powerful new voice to tackle Devon’s housing crisis
We've joined forces with councils, experts and parliamentarians from across Devon to form a powerful voice to tackle the county’s housing crisis.
A new Housing Commission – which has been established by the Devon Housing Task Force, a partnership between the eleven local authorities across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay – and supported by the University of Exeter, will develop recommendations to start to address the broken housing markets across Devon.
The shortage of appropriate homes is having an impact on people’s health and the economy. The Commission will enable those affected to have their say and inform representations to Government.
People and organisations in Devon can have their say on issues related to housing by responding to a survey.
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Have you used our services in the past year?
We're keen to get as much feedback as possible from people who have used council services in recent months.
Our customer experience survey gives you the chance to say how satisfied you are with the service we provided. It's open to any resident who has used our services and the survey runs until Friday 21 July so please take the few minutes to complete it.
So far more than 360 people have responded, giving us valuable feedback on the way our services are performing.
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Anti-social behaviour activity takes over our social media channels
Last week, our Community Safety Team took the reins for our social media content, as part of national anti-social behaviour week.
The ‘takeover’ gave the team the chance to promote its work to tackle anti-social behaviour, celebrate the partnerships it has forged with local statutory and voluntary organisations such as police and schools, and find out what matters to local people.
A week-long programme of social media content was prepared, from short polls and photo captions to videos, updates and testimonials from people who’ve benefitted from some of the work they’ve been doing.
Thanks to everyone who engaged with us last week and especially those who took part in a poll to tell us which types of anti-social behaviour have the most impact on you. The poll showed that nuisance/noisy neighbours seem to have affected people the most in the past three years.
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Green Spaces pop-up roadshow
Bakers Park in Newton Abbot was the latest venue to be visited by our Green Spaces pop-up roadshow.
The team was joined by colleagues from Garden Communities, the Community Environmental Warden, the Recycling Officer and Devon Loves Dogs.
It’s a great way to meet with regular park users and visitors, gathering feedback and completing surveys. Our next roadshows 10 – 11.30am will take place at The Strand, Starcross on 1 August and Decoy Country, Park Newton Abbot 29 August. Why not come and say hello?
If you haven't already why not complete our green spaces survey?
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 Council vacancies
Customer Experience Lead, Housing Caseworker, Independent Persons, Principal/ Senior/Planning Officer, Revenue & Benefits Assistant/Senior Officer, Solicitor - Planning.
Leisure vacancies
Leisure Assistant (Dawlish), Casual Leisure Opportunities – Swimming Teachers, Class Instructor, Sports Coaches Level 1 & 2, Leisure Assistant, Customer Service Assistants.
Waste and Recycling
HGV Vehicle Mechanic, Loader.
Full details of all vacancies and closing dates for applying are on our jobs portal.
Join the Big Butterfly count
The annual Big Butterfly Count begins today and runs until Sunday 6 August.
Run by the charity Butterfly Conservation, it’s aimed at helping to assess the health of our environment. Launched in 2010, the organisers say it has become the world's biggest survey of butterflies. With more than 64,000 taking part last year, submitting 96,257 counts of butterflies and day-flying moths from across the UK.
To get involved simply count butterflies for 15 minutes during bright (preferably sunny) weather during the Big Butterfly Count. You can download an identification chart to help you work out which butterflies you have seen and there is an app that you can download to help you record
This year a target list has been prepared that the organisers would like you to count in an effort to minimise counting error and therefore have a clearer view of actual butterfly numbers across the country. You should also report if you see no butterflies.
Buttefly images courtesy of Butterfly Conservation.
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News about Newton Abbot
The summer issue of the Newton Cryer has been published and is available on the Town Council's website.
Alphington improvements consultation
 Devon County Council has launched a public consultation on proposals to reduce traffic speeds, improve walking facilities and increase parking in Alphington
Building on feedback from an earlier consultation, local people are being asked for their views on a number of options including pavement widening, measures to reduce traffic speeds, changes to existing parking and increased provision for local people.
You can find out more on Devon’s website and give your feedback by 26 July via its online survey.
Running events safely
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website has a selection of guidance about running events safely this summer.
Lots to do across Dartmoor - activities for all, families to farmers
 Dartmoor National Park Authority has a host of activities taking place over the coming weeks.
Unearthing Dartmoor exhibition
Daily until 29 September, National Park Visitor Centre, Princetown: a new exhibition featuring poetry, artwork, prints and photographs chronicling and reflecting different dimensions of Dartmoor.
History Hunters Family Fun Day - postponed
Saturday 15 July , National Park Visitor Centre, Postbridge: Find out more
Litter pick with Ranger Andrea Roberts
Saturday 15 July, 10. 30am – 12.30pm, Roborough Rock: join Andrea for a 2 Minute Litter Pick to help protect and nurture this wonderful area of Dartmoor. Stay for as long as you want! Bags and pickers provided.
Lamb and leys - farmers event
Wednesday 19 July, 11am - 2pm, Hughslade Farm, Okehampton: an event for farmers organised by Dartmoor Hill Farm Project with kind permission of the Heard family. This workshop includes practical demonstrations and discussions on methods of finishing lambs on diverse swards, the cost and benefits from a farm perspective and quality assurance.
Net Zero Exchange job vacancies
As a follow on to its Low Carbon Devon project, the University of Plymouth will be launching a Net-Zero Exchange network in the Autumn and has published a couple of job vacancies for the project – a Knowledge Exchange and Impact Officer and a Network Officer (Communications and Events). The closing dates for applications are respectively 14 and 16 August.
Eastern European Festival of Food and Music at Powderham Castle
 Tomorrow (Saturday) Grow Ukraine is holding a one day, fundraising "Eastern European Festival of Food & Music" at Powderham Castle.
The Festival will include music plus a fair with a wide variety of goods, food and activities for children and adults.
Grow Ukraine is a newly established Community Interest Company with its main mission to support the rebuild of Ukraine and help families to get back on their feet.
Connecting communities - national lottery funding
A new National Lottery programme will offer grants of between £500,000 and £2 million over 2-5 years for organisations that want to help create a better-connected society.
When it opens on Friday 4 August, organisations that can apply include registered charities and Community Interest Companies for projects that enable communities to come together.
The National Lottery has scheduled two information webinars each week from Monday for organisations that would like to find out more about the UK Fund. Registration can be made online
More information is on the Lottery website.
Funding to help d/Deaf and Disabled people in poverty
The Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is awarding grants of up to £75,000 over three years to support registered charities led by and working with d/Deaf and Disabled people aged 17 and over who are experiencing poverty.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday, 31 August and more information about the grants and how to apply are on the Foundation's website.
Opportunities to develop your skills
If you are trying to improve your skills and be more employable then one of the 50 individual Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps courses could be for you.
Courses are open to individuals aged over 19 and offer face-to-face learning, as well as online courses on offer.
Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps offer a range of fully-funded training courses of up to 16 weeks across a variety of sectors: Digital, Technical, Construction, Green Skills, Healthcare, Hospitality and Professional Services.
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