Switch to paperless billing
Among all the news and talk of carbon reduction and ending our dependency on fossil fuels, it's easy to forget the part we can all play in protecting our environment and achieving our net zero goal.
Small steps can make a huge difference which is why our council tax team is asking residents to sign up for paperless billing which will help reduce Teignbridge’s carbon footprint.
The three-step switchover process is simple and takes only a minute so go to our website and do it now.
By slashing paper billing, we can reduce our paper, printing and post costs and our carbon footprint and give you a faster online service.
Shops caught selling vapes to under 18s
Two local shops have been caught selling age restricted products to under 18s and have been given Community Protection Warnings and face further investigation.
The shops were caught selling vapes to youngsters in a joint operation involving our Community Safety Team, the Police and Trading Standards; which involved spot checks on 15 shops in Teignmouth and Newton Abbot on Wednesday.
The checks were part of a national Trading Standards initiative to clamp down on illegal underage sales. Volunteers under the age of 18 visited the shops to try and buy nicotine inhaling products or alcohol. Some of the shops targeted had been the subject of complaints from the public of alleged underage sales.
Watched by an officer pretending to be shopping, the volunteer attempted to buy underage products. In two instances ages were not checked and the volunteer was sold a vape. Once the purchaser leaves the premises the evidence is secured in a tamper proof bag which is then taken back into the story where the owner/sales staff is questioned under caution and issued with a community protection warning.
The joint exercise is aimed at supporting our communities and reducing the risks of young people getting restricted products.
With spot checks being repeated from time to time, it is hoped that all shop owners will tighten up their procedures and make sure the age of youngsters is checked before selling them restricted products.
If you suspect a shop is selling age restricted products to someone below 18, please contact Trading Standards or email communitysafety@Teignbridge.gov.uk
|
From trainee to an honours degree
As an employer we are committed to encouraging our staff to achieve their potential and to support them through training and studies to improve their skills.
So we're delighted that Jamie Shimell in our Economy and Assets Team, who joined us as a trainee when he was just 16, has graduated from The University of the West of England with a BE (Hons) in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
His manager Pete Briscoe, Projects Manager for Economy and Assets said: “He has worked tirelessly over the period juggling full time work with study, which is not easy, and has risen to the challenge and completed both his ONC & HNC qualifications prior to undertaking his degree on a day release basis.
“During this period Jamie has successfully moved from Trainee Technician to Engineering Technician and more recently has risen to the role as Project Engineer. He is a shining example of how we can employ and develop staff and empower them to take a greater role in shaping Teignbridge’s future.”
Jamie said: “A massive thank you to Teignbridge District Council for putting me through all my academic studies over the last eight years including an ONC, HNC and most recently a BEng in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
“This achievement would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of my amazing colleagues in the Projects Team. It’s been a hard but rewarding journey and I couldn’t recommend an engineering degree apprenticeship more.”
Jamie’s sights are now firmly focused on achieving incorporated status with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
|
 Council vacancies
Area Building Control Surveyor, Business and Systems Support Officer (Planning), Senior Arboricultural Officer, Revenue & Benefits Officer/Senior Officer, Rough Sleeper Navigator, Solicitor – Commercial Property, Solicitor – Planning, Volunteer Trainee Countryside Ranger
Leisure vacancies
Casual Leisure Opportunities – Swimming Teachers, Class Instructor, Sports Coaches Level 1 & 2.
Waste and Recycling
HGV Vehicle Mechanic, Waste Project Officer
Full details of all vacancies and closing dates for applying are on our jobs portal.
Court rules wild camping legal on Dartmoor
Wild camping is again allowed on Dartmoor after a Court of Appeal ruling that it was an open-air recreation and therefore permitted under the Dartmoor Commons Act.
Dartmoor National Park, which brought the appeal alongside the Open Spaces Society, welcomed the ruling in favour of people's right to backpack camp on common land on the moor.
It reiterated its commitment to working with commoners and landowners to ensure that people continue to backpack responsibly in certain areas and leave no trace of their visit.
The case was brought after a ruling in January concluded that wild campers needed to have the permission of the landlord and provoked a massive campaign to preserve traditional rights of commoners to wild camp on Dartmoor.
Our councillors unanimously supported the campaign and the action taken by Dartmoor National Park Authority, passing a motion in February condemning the ban and calling on the government to “enact urgent legislation to reinstate wild camping and protect the rights of people to fully enjoy Dartmoor."
Following the Court of Appeal ruling, Dr Kevin Bishop, Chief Executive/National Park Officer for Dartmoor National Park Authority, said: "Today’s judgment is a re-affirmation of the right to backpack camp on Dartmoor and secures that right for today and future generations."
|
Keeping food safe on a picnic
If you're trying to grab some fresh air and have a picnic between the showers, the Food Standards Agency is urging you to stay safe and avoid food poisoning by following these simple steps:
- Wash fruit and veg before you leave
- Pack fresh foods in a cool bag or box
- Pack it away when you’re done
|
Stover parking cost to increase
If you drive to Stover Country Park, please be aware that Devon County Council is increasing parking charges with effect from 24 August. The cost of parking at Stover for up to two hours increases to £2 and over two hours to £4.
|
DVLA launches new online account for motorists
The Government has announced motorists can opt for digital vehicle tax instead of a paper reminder.
The change is part of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) new driver and vehicles account service which allows motorists to access their driver and vehicle information in one place including:
- Their driving licence information, including endorsements and penalty points
- Vehicles that are registered to them including tax and MOT status
- Set up vehicle tax reminders by email and for the first time by SMS text
- Choose to stop getting vehicle tax reminders by post
The DVLA is asking motorists to provide feedback to help develop the service.
|
Child Benefit payments for teens in full time education or training
HMRC is reminding parents and carers of teens staying in full-time education or training that they need to let them know by 31 August to continue receiving Child Benefit payments or their payments will automatically stop.
Parents and carers with children aged 16 and 17 who confirm this online or on the HMRC app will see changes applied to their Child Benefit claim immediately, by viewing their proof of entitlement.
Parents and carers with children 18 or over who are eligible can advise HMRC on an online form, and changes will be applied automatically.
You can also see recent Child Benefit payments and update bank and address details instantly online or on the app.
THINK! Campaign relaunched to improve road safety
The Government is reminding people to ‘Travel Like You Know Them’, to help keep everyone safe on the road.
The THINK! campaign aims to help improve understanding of how others see and use the road, reminding all road users of the Highway Code changes which came into effect last year.
People are again being encouraged to:
- give priority at junctions to people cycling straight ahead and people waiting to cross or already crossing the road
- pass horse riders at under 10mph and allow at least two metres of space and keep to a low speed when passing people walking on the road
- leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30mph, and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds
Remember that people cycling may ride 2 abreast or in the centre of the lane if it is safer to do so, pulling in when safe to allow vehicles to overtake.
|
Cost of living funding support grants
The Growing Communities Fund is intended to support individuals and communities to tackle the current cost of living issues through reducing food and fuel inequalities, building self-reliance, community resilience and improving mental health and wellbeing. It will provide grant awards of between £500 and £3000.
Grants to relieve poverty and support young people in rural areas
The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust offers grants starting at £1,000 but normally around £10,000, for larger UK charitable organisations and groups for projects that relieve poverty and assist with the education of young people in rural areas. The deadline for application is 27 October and further information including how to apply is on the Trust’s website.
Community tree planting grants
The Tree Council’s Branching Out Fund is inviting applications towards the costs of community planting projects. The Fund supports applications ranging from £250 to to £2,500. Schools, community groups, residents’ associations, Parish Councils, charities and many others are eligible to apply before the 3 December deadline.
|
