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The latest news in your community

Your council tax

So, where does all your money go, and what does Teignbridge do with its share?

Like any household budget, we have to make sure we balance the money we receive with the money we spend on doing things like keeping your parks maintained, emptying your bins and providing housing for families facing homelessness.

Next year’s budget is nearing completion with the Executive expected to sign off a below inflation 2.99 per cent increase in Teignbridge’s council tax share and the 2024/5 financial plan on Tuesday ahead of budget approval being sought at Full Council on 27 February.

This year’s council tax increase for Teignbridge represents less than 11p per week for an average band D property.    Just over eight per cent of your total council tax goes to Teignbridge, contributing in total £10.3 million to our £63 million revenue budget which pays for the vital services that you and your local communities rely on. The rest of it comes from a share of business rates, fees and charges from things like parking charges, plus other income from property and government grants.   The bulk of day-to-day revenue spending goes on housing benefits and council tax support (£20.2 million); waste recycling and cleansing (£12.3 million); planning, building control, assets, parking and the local economy (£8.6 million); housing, environmental services, licensing and community safety (£6.6 million); leisure, open spaces and resorts (£5.8 million); with the remainder covering the cost for example of other support services, pensions and financing. We’re also pledging to spend more on some vital projects that will improve, regenerate and safeguard communities across the district.  This funding of £53.3 million in our capital programme includes £21.2 for flood alleviation and the environment which includes the South West Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme and the lease of new waste and recycling collection vehicles; planning and development including employment sites and the Future High Street Fund; Housing (£8.2 million); open spaces and leisure (£2.5 million); and the remainder on council IT systems. The Executive budget discussion can be watched live on our webcasting service and this chart provides a more comprehensive breakdown of the budget.

Council news

Election result

Liberal Democrat Jane Ineson won yesterday's Newton Abbot Town Council Bushell Ward election, defeating #Savequeenstreet candidate Kerry Sutton and Heritage Party candidate, Madeleine Hunt.

The full result details can be viewed on our website.

Councillors impressed by construction project

Good progress is being made on the construction of the £6.2million Dawlish link road and bridge which councillors were able to see at first hand during a site visit this week. Contractors Montel led a tour of the construction site and briefed Dawlish county and district councillors on the different aspects of this key infrastructure project and showed them the recently delivered steel bridge deck structure.

Taking part in the site visit was Teignbridge Executive Member for Planning Cllr Gary Taylor and Council leader Martin Wrigley who spoke about the importance of the project. The new link road is part of a scheme for 860 homes near Secmaton Lane and will link the new homes directly to local shops, schools and the A379 Exeter Road.  For the latest update on progress take a look at Montel’s dedicated project web pages Work is expected to be completed later this year.

Dawlish footbridge to be removed

Work will start on Monday (12 February) to remove the timber footbridge to the west of Manor Gardens in Dawlish.

Following an inspection our engineers found it to be unsafe and coming to the end of its lifespan, so it will need to be removed for safety reasons..

The Council is currently reviewing the viability of replacement options.

The work is expected to be completed by Friday 16 February.

Feedback to be reviewed

Our thanks to those who took part in our recent survey on how to refurbish and decarbonise the Broadmeadow Sports Centre and to future-proof it for the next 20 years. Almost 350 people completed our survey providing a wide range of feedback with the proposed improvements being positively received. We’re currently seeking some wider feedback from disability and faith groups, as well as from Devon and Cornwall Police. We’ll be reviewing all the feedback in detail before reporting back to the Executive in April with any proposed changes to our design proposals.

We're hiring - come and join us!

Council vacancies

Council Tax Team Leader, Programme Manager; Housing Collections Officer; Rent Support Officer, Senior Estates and Development Surveyor, Estates Manager

Teignbridge Leisure vacancies

Casual leisure opportunities in Newton Abbot for a Group Exericse Instructor, Swim Teachers (Level 1 and 2), Sport Coach Level 2

Full details of all vacancies and closing dates for applying are on our jobs portal or follow us on LinkedIn.

Other news

BBC awards launched

BBC Radio Devon has launched its  2024 Make A Difference Awards which recognise individuals, communities and groups who really do make a difference locally. There are eight award categories including volunteering, fundraising, and caring, as well as awards which recognise people supporting the environment and animal welfare. The awards close on Sunday 10 March 2024 at 11pm and you can nominate by selecting a category and completing the online form.

Police and Crime Commissioner election

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are democratically elected every four years.  The next election is due to take place on Thursday 2 May 2024 and the Notice of Election will be published at 5pm on Wednesday 20 March.

Due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the planned PCC elections in 2020 were delayed until May 2021, so it is just three years since the last PCC election was held.

The PCC election in Devon & Cornwall with the Isles of Scilly is being co-ordinated by Plymouth City Council.  The Chief Executive of Plymouth City Council has been appointed Police Area Returning Officer (PARO) for the entire electoral area, with each of the local authorities within Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly organising the election process for their own areas in line with PARO directions.

Key dates are listed on our website.

New bridge over A379 opens

The new 36-metre span pedestrian and cycle bridge over the A379, constructed as part of the ongoing South West Exeter development,is open for use.

The bridge has been designed as a “gateway” feature to the new development area, with a number of panels designed by artist Isabel Coulton installed on the structure, and more to come. It also includes architectural lighting.

Use the App to access NHS services

The NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services and information on your smartphone or tablet. Millions of people are already using it to manage their health from the comfort of their homes.

If you are over the age of 16 the NHS App enables you to view your GP health record to help you better understand and manage your condition, without having to phone your GP surgery. With the App you can access your consultation notes, letters and test results.

The NHS App also enables you to manage repeat prescriptions and easily change your nominated pharmacy, so you can send orders when it’s convenient for you. The NHS has calculated that each prescription ordered electronically saves GP practices three minutes of time and a patient 18 minutes, making it more convenient for people and freeing up frontline staff to do other important duties.

The App makes it easy to access your appointment information and manage your hospital appointments. You can also find out your NHS number and access NHS 111 online to get instant advice or medical help near you.

For more information or to download the app, visit the NHS website

Alice Cross

The Alice Cross Centre in teignmouth has published its latest newsletter. The Centre is running free air fryer courses, its Curry and Quiz night returns on Saturday 17 February, Sunday Lunch Club is back on 18 February and its Preloved sale  is scheduled for Saturday 2 March

Small grants for village halls

Defra funded grant scheme reopens for those managing rural community buildings, this time with a lower award threshold of £2,000 to support smaller projects and make it accessible to more groups.

The grant fund is re-opening to new applicants who wish to undertake smaller projects such as disability access, toilet upgrades and new kitchens. Grant awards of between £2,000 to £5,000, and up to 20 per cent of eligible project costs, are on offer. Project expenditure must take place before 31 March 2025.

Measles cases prompt MMR vaccine call

UKHSA has reported an increase in measles across the country and is encouraging people to check that they and their children have had two doses of the MMR vaccine. The free MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting against measles, as well as mumps and rubella. It’s important for parents to take up the offer of MMR vaccination for their children when offered at 1 year of age and as a pre-school booster at three years, four months of age. If children and young adults have missed these vaccinations in the past, it’s important to take up the vaccine now from GPs, particularly in light of the recent cases. Anyone with symptoms is also being advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice. For more information about measles, see the nhs.uk website.

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