Residents across Teignbridge could benefit from free energy efficiency upgrades to their homes if they're not connected to the gas grid - through a Government-backed Home Upgrade Grant scheme. 

We're working with Devon County Council and the Energy Saving Devon Partnership to offer households the chance to make improvements to help make their homes warmer and lower energy bills and carbon emissions. 

Upgrades could include cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, loft insulation, external wall insulation, draught proofing, underfloor insulation, low energy lighting, heat pumps, heating controls, solar PV (where heating is electric), solar thermal and double glazing.  

The upgrades would depend on the outcome of a free site survey and to be eligible, householders will need to: 

• Own and live in your property that is not connected to mains gas for heating 
• Have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G.
• Have a combined gross household income of less than £31,000 a year OR live in an automatically eligible postcode area 

The no cost offer is on a first-come, first-served basis so find out more on Energy Saving Devon's website or phone the Energy Saving Devon Advice Line on 0800 138 6207 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) or email Energy Saving Devon.

The final Cost of Living roadshow in the current series will be held on Thursday (26 October) at Buckfastleigh St Luke’s Church Hall, from 9.30 to 12.30.

The event will be attended organisations that can offer help and advice to local people struggling with cost-of-living pressures.

Events have already been run in Bovey Tracey, Moretonhampstead, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and most recently Christow people told us they valued being able to talk to different organisations face to face, in one place.

At Christow earlier this week, one person has switched to a cheaper water tariff, two LEAP (Local Energy Advice Programme) home visits have been arranged and lots of people picked up water saving gadgets!

In response to feedback from people unable to attend the events due to work commitments, another event is planned for Saturday 27 January in Newton Abbot, details will follow.

Feedback following this week's ‘Let’s Talk about growing up in a porn culture’ webinar has been extremely positive, with parents and carers praising the eye-opening session and the information provided.

More than 150 people tuned into the webinar and the recording was sent to everyone who signed up to attend.  Afterwards, 89% of participants said they would definitely recommend the session to other parents and 83% said they felt better able to support their children as a result of the information shared in the webinar.

Over the three sessions – for educators, professionals and parents and carers - more than 450 people have participated or watched the free webinar, which aimed to help people create an environment where they can have sensitive, safe and honest conversations with children about pornography.

Those participating welcomed the tips and techniques and many were surprised by the information shared and their lack of knowledge of the type of material children can access via the web, finding it hard hitting and shocking. 

Some of the comments from parents and carers were: 

“Excellent punchy information, hard hitting and hard to hear but absolutely hit the spot!”

“Amazingly informative, horrific. I didn’t know how bad this was!"

“I found this such an eye-opener. It has definitely made me think about what my foster child is likely to be seeing on the Internet and how I might discuss it with him.”

The next Let's Talk sessions will be designed for parents and carers who have children with special educational needs and disabilities.

September's activity focused on much of the essential site setup work to enable construction of the link road and bridge to take place. This included a haul road (pictured right), a works compound with temporary power, vegetation and tree stump removal, drainage and silt protection and a temporary brook crossing.

This month has seen further clearance work, some ground improvements, the extension of the haul road and temporary water management drainage being put in place.

You can follow progress on Devon County Council’s dedicated Link Road and bridge web pages and on the contractor’s web page but below are some of the images from the initial works showing the progress being made.

Montel has sent a letter to residents to keep them in touch with progress.

The project is on track to complete in the middle of next year.

Every year Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service seeks the views of communities and businesses about the level of the council tax contribution for the fire and rescue service.

This year’s consultation is open now until midday on 30 November and the Service would like to hear from as many people as possible across Devon and Somerset to better understand residents' views.

You can take part through the online survey or use the QR code on the picture on the right.