Market traders remain open during temporary building closure
Newton Abbot market traders are continuing to open for business despite the temporary closure of the Market Hall.
As part of the proposed Market Hall redevelopment, investigatory work undertaken this week to identify the construction make-up and condition of the Grade 2 listed building revealed that the condition of some of the wooden roof trusses in the Market Hall had deteriorated.
As a result, the Market Hall building has been temporarily closed for safety reasons. Alternative arrangements to enable Traders to remain open for business and to continue to operate have been put in place while further investigations are undertaken and repairs are made as swiftly as possible.
Food Hall businesses are not affected by this decision and will continue to open and trade as normal.
We will be carrying out further investigation works in the Market Hall as a precautionary measure.
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Garden waste permit delays
There are currently delays within the postal system meaning that permits are taking considerably longer than expected to arrive once mailed.
Provided it is longer than three days since you paid, your garden waste collection crew will be able to see on their incab technology that you have renewed your subscription. You can therefore continue to place your bin out for collection.
We apologise for any concern caused by these delays, which lie outside our control.
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First cost-of-living event on Wednesday
The first of six, free cost-of-living events running throughout September and October will take place on Wednesday morning, at Bovey Tracey Riverside Centre.
The event will run from 9.30 - 12.30 and will provide a wide range of advice and information to help local people struggling with cost-of-living pressures to manage their way through the coming months.
Attendees will receive a free raffle ticket with a number of great prizes to be won including a slow cooker, a heated throw, flask and an air fryer.
The series of events is the result of the council teaming up with the CVS and almost 30 other supporting organisations. Members of our Housing, Private Sector Housing, Revs and Bens teams will be attending. Dates of the other five events are available.
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Fee increases to be considered to protect services
Councillors at next week’s Executive will consider increasing a range of fees and charges to generate additional income to maintain high quality services and to combat rising cost pressures since this year’s budget was set in February.
The proposals would increase the council’s annual income by 3.1% and help fund additional costs facing the council such as an anticipated higher than budgeted pay settlement for employees, reductions in income from recycling sales and higher than anticipated inflation.
Increased charges for example on council carparks, commercial waste collection and events held on council land are being considered but no increases are proposed for services such as retail market fees, planning and leisure memberships.
Decisions on any proposals agreed by the Executive will be made at an extraordinary Full Council on 28 September with any new charges being implemented in October apart from car parking which would increase from November 2023.
Revised timetable proposed on Local Plan
Proposals to delay submission of Teignbridge’s draft local plan, so as to give local people another opportunity to comment on changes being made to it, will be considered by next week’s Executive.
Changes to the plan are needed following detailed analysis of issues raised in the feedback from the local plan consultation held earlier this year which saw comments submitted by about 1,000 individuals and organisations.
Ahead of submission of the draft local plan for public inspection, a revised timetable is being proposed which recognises the further work that has been needed to address issues raised, ensure it is legally compliant and to achieve better outcomes for communities and the environment.
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Further play park investment to cut down on troublemakers
CCTV is to be installed at Ashburton Road Playpark in an effort to stop anti-social behaviour and make it safer for children to use.
The increased safety measures, which are supported by the police, are being funded by Teignbridge District Council and Newton Abbot Town Council to the tune of £14,400.
Over recent months, there has been an increase in unruly behaviour, abuse and littering which has resulted in fewer families using the fantastic facilities.
The playpark reopened earlier this year following a major £150,000 refurbishment which created a toddlers starter bike track for 0 to 5-year-olds, a toddler zone for 1 to 5-year-olds, a junior zone for 6 to 12-year-olds and a new pump park for wheel sport activities for older children.
Despite increased police patrols and discussions with local schools, it has not been possible to stop the anti-social behaviour and so following positive experience elsewhere, CCTV is to be installed to identify the perpetrators and take action against them.
Work to install the new CCTV system, which will give a continuous 360º view of the playpark and has night vision capabilities is expected to be completed by 15 September. Our thanks to everyone involved in advising and implementing this project.
A382 funding approved
Councillors this week agreed to make a £1 million contribution to help fund major improvements to the A382 between Newton Abbot and Drumbridges roundabout.
Tuesday’s full council vote follows last year’s decision to contribute to the cost of the Jetty Marsh link road and earlier decisions to support improvements between Forches Cross and Whitehill Cross, as well as the Houghton Barton Link Road, both of which have been completed.
The £1 million contribution will help unlock £38.12 million of Government funding for the A382 improvements which will increase vehicular capacity, improve safety and provide a new active travel link from Newton Abbot to Heathfield.
The funding will come from the Community Infrastructure Levy which developers have to pay on new homes development and which can be used for improving and providing new infrastructure.
Don’t let your dog disturb others
It may now be autumn but as this week’s fantastic weather has demonstrated, September is still a great month to get out and about exploring our wonderful countryside.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy the many fantastic places to visit in the district but often a few irresponsible dog owners ruin this for others by not controlling their dogs or clearing up after them.
Dog owners are reminded that they are responsible for their dogs’ behaviour and under the council’s Public Space Protection Order anyone not following the rules can be fined £100 on spot or up to £1,000 if a case goes to court. Dog owners must pick up after their dog and must not take them to beaches where dogs are not allowed between 1 April to 30 September. Dog owners must also:
- Keep their dog on a lead where council signs indicate this is needed
- Keep their dog on a fixed lead no longer than one metre, when on or next to the public highway, a footway, footpath or cycle track
- Keep their dog out of areas signed as dog exclusion areas
- Keep their dog on a lead when told to do so by an authorised Officer or Police Officer
- Walk no more than six dogs at the same time
- Carry sufficient dog poo bags to clear up after your dog.
Why not check out our website for information on responsible dog ownership so you and your dog can enjoy being out and about without disturbing others.
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Drive to make sure electoral register is up to date
The annual efforts to make sure local people don’t miss out on the chance to vote because their details are not on the electoral register are well underway.
Having contacted a number of residents in early August asking them to confirm or update their household’s electoral register details, reminder forms are being sent to those who did not respond listing the information we currently hold. In these cases, residents only need to respond now if the information on the form is incorrect.
Emails are also being sent in the coming days to residents who have not yet responded to the annual canvass form sent to them and this will be followed up by letters being sent to those without email addresses who haven’t responded.
If any household hasn’t received any contact from us they should email the electoral services team so we can make sure no one misses out on the opportunity to vote. If you need to submit an application to register at your address you can do so online.
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Support sessions starting later this month
It's not too late for parents and carers to sign up for our popular, online, free Let’s Talk Teenagers and Let’s Talk Pre-Teens support sessions which return later this month.
If you know of anyone who might be interested in joining and learning more about how best to support their children through these challenging pre-teen and teenager years, please let them know.
The Pre-Teen sessions will be held on Thursday 21 September, Thursday 28 September and Thursday 5 October.
The Teenager sessions will be held on Tuesday 19 September, Tuesday 26 September and Tuesday 3 October.
All sessions start at 7pm.
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 Council vacancies
Accountants, Administration Assistant, Head of Digital, Housing Collections Officer, Local Plan Programme Officer, Rent Support Officer, Technical Support Officer
Waste and Recycling
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Leisure vacancies
Casual Leisure Opportunities – Swimming Teachers, Class Instructors, Sports Coaches Level 1 & 2.
Full details of all vacancies and closing dates for applying are on our jobs portal
Take care when out and about in hot weather
 We've changed seasons but the weather is certainly not autumnal! An Amber Heat Health Alert remains in place until 2100 on Sunday.
And with temperatures forecast to remain high you may find this "Beating the Heat connectme newsletter from Devon County Council helpful. It has lots of tips on staying safe during hot weather.
Asking directly about suicidal thoughts can help save lives
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day on Sunday (10 September), the Samaritans is encouraging people not to be afraid to talk about suicidal thoughts and feelings if they are worried about someone, as well as highlighting the importance of the language we use when we talk about suicide
Every 90 minutes, someone in the UK or Ireland takes their own life.
Evidence shows that asking someone if they’re suicidal doesn’t make things worse, it can protect people, as it provides a crucial opportunity to open up, express their feelings and seek help.
If someone does let you know they are having suicidal thoughts, the Samaritans stress the importance of always taking them seriously. You don’t have to be an expert, just being there to listen and showing you care can help them work through what’s going on. Let them know they’re not a burden and there’s always someone they can turn to – whether it’s a family member or friend, or a 24/7 helpline like Samaritans.
Using the right language around suicide is also important say the Samaritans, and key to breaking down stigma and crating a safe environment for people to open up.
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Guidance for autumn vaccinations published
With vaccinations due to get underway in the coming weeks, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published a guide to the COVID-19 autumn programme.
A free COVID vaccination will be offered to people aged 65 years and over; residents in care homes for older people; anyone aged six months and over in a clinical risk group; and health and social care staff.
Appointments will be available from the National Booking Service shortly and the UKHSA is encouraging people to accept the vaccination that is offered to them as soon as they are able to so as to build up your protection against severe illness before the winter.
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