We've successfully secured funding from the New Levelling Up fund to commission and work with a dedicated Arts Consultant for one year to support the arts and help develop our district Cultural Strategy.

The Arts Consultancy contract is available for either an individual or company or organisation to act in a freelance consultancy capacity, which we anticipate will start next month through to the end of March 2025. 

The Arts Consultant will report to the Teignbridge Arts Project Advisory Board and administer the £300,000 UK Shared Prosperity Fund Arts project grant funding scheme, promoting and encouraging Teignbridge Arts organisations to apply, as well networking with organisations involved in culture and the Arts across Teignbridge and help create a Cultural Strategy for the district.

To apply visit the UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Exhibiting, Participating and Performing in the Arts Contracts Finder or if you'd like more information you can email our Economy Team with 'Arts Consultancy Application' in the subject field. The deadline for applications is Monday 29 January.

Mike and Chris from our Waste and Recycling team took BBC Spotlight out on their round this week - to show them some of the work they do to tackle fly tipping across the District - which made the lead story on Tuesday night's evening bulletin. 

Last year we dealt with 932 incidents of fly tipping in the District and we took action 343 times with 17 fixed notice penalties issued. Mike and Chris explained the extent of the problem and what the team does to prevent and tackle it.

People struggling to keep their homes warm or put enough food on the table to keep their families topped up through this extra cold snap can get help and support at a Cost of Living session being run next Saturday (27 January).

The cost of living session runs from 10.30am– 2.30pm in the food hall area of Newton Abbot Market.

Organised in partnership with Teignbridge CVS and backed by a large number of organisations, the event will provide an opportunity for people to drop in and talk to specialists on a wide range of cost of living topics including help, advice, and information around the home; housing; energy; wellbeing; maximising income and food support.

Entry is free and each visitor will receive a free raffle ticket for a range of prizes including a slow-cooker, heated throw, flask and air fryer

The amber cold health alert, issued by the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been extended to midday on Saturday in all regions.

The UKHSA says:

With a risk of widespread overnight frosts and some snow across the country this week, it’s important to check on the wellbeing of those most vulnerable to the cold.

Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly older people, and those with pre-existing health conditions, as it increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections.

Anyone with a pre-existing medical condition or who is over the age of 65 should try and heat the rooms where they spend most of your time, such as their living room or bedroom.

Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)

The SWEP continues to run throughout this cold weather period and will be reviewed on Monday 22 January. All rough sleepers who have already been accommodated under SWEP will remain in accommodation during this period. Anyone contacting the council as rough sleeping will be verified and accommodation will be provided.

Please advise anyone you believe is rough sleeping to contact the Housing Options team on 01626 361101. For out of hours enquiries, please call 0330 678 2382.

Crimestoppers is running a national campaign this week (17-24 January) to end violence against women and girls.  The organisation's “Sexual harassment in public spaces” report (2023) identified that there are men who feel entitled to sexually harass women in public spaces.

A majority of respondents felt that sexual harassment continues to pose a significant problem in the UK, with 18 participants likening it to an epidemic.

The campaign seeks to raise awareness of types of sexual harassment that can be a crime, and encourages those who witness or who are a bystander to this harassment to speak up, 100% anonymously, to Crimestoppers.

If you've seen or suspect crime and don't want to speak to the police, you can tell Crimestoppers what you know on the phone on 0800 555 111 and online, 24/7, 365 days a year. 

The Electoral Commission has launched its May 2024 Voter ID campaign, which will run in England and Wales this year.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the requirement for voters in England and Wales to show photo ID when voting at the polling station on 2 May.

The campaign also aims to ensure that people who do not have an accepted form of photo ID are aware that they can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, or ‘voter ID’.

For more information visit the Electoral Commission website.

New rules for overseas electors

British citizens who have been living overseas for more than 15 years will be eligible to vote in UK Parliament elections, following new legislation coming into force on Tuesday (16 Jan). The Electoral Commission is asking for help to encourage people living in the UK to tell friends or family living abroad who are British citizens they can now vote.

These include:

• People living overseas can now register to vote in the UK no matter how long ago they left or were last registered to vote in the UK. 
• Overseas declarations are now valid for three years, lasting until 1 November in the third year after it takes effect (for example, if your declaration takes effect on 1 March 2024, it will expire on 1 November 2026).
• People living overseas can now register online (not available in Northern Ireland).

More information and resources are on the Electoral Commission's website.