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Have Your Say on Council Tax Support
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
Have Your Say on Council Tax Support
17 October 2023
South Hams District Council wants to hear your views on how we plan to help people most in need pay their council tax as the cost-of-living crisis continues.
The Council Tax Reduction Scheme is reviewed every year and you now have six weeks to let us know what you think about two proposed changes for 2024-2025.
The first change will mean more support for self-employed residents who are trying to grow their own business. The second aims to help ease the financial pressures for residents with a disability or health condition which affects how much they can work. The changes will see over 600 residents or families get much needed extra financial support.
The proposals will cost a total of £236,409. The Council’s share of the cost will be 8% - that’s £18,913. The rest will be paid for by the other organisations who charge part of the Council Tax bill, such as Devon County Council, the Police, and Fire and Rescue.
The Council now wants to hear from residents and partner authorities on if they agree with the planned changes.
South Hams District Council’s Leader, Cllr Julian Brazil, said: “The yearly review of our council tax reduction scheme helps us find new and innovative ways to support those who need it most. The two changes we are proposing aim to do just that.
“Now is the chance for you, our residents and partners, to have your say. Please be part of the conversation on what is best for our communities.”
You can have your say online at counciltaxreductionsouthhams.commonplace.is until 28 November 2023.
Dog Control Consultation – Have Your Say
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
Dog Control Consultation – Have Your Say
Issued: Wednesday 11 October 2023
South Hams District Council want your views in a public consultation about Public Space Protection Orders for dog control in the District.
A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) deals with potential anti-social behaviour in an area which could have a harmful effect on the quality of life for those in the local community. It can ban certain things, or need specific things to be done, in this case the control of dogs in public areas.
The Council know that most dog owners properly control their dogs and abide by the rules. However, they want to encourage every dog owner throughout the South Hams to be responsible and these PSPOs help with that.
PSPOs last for three years before they need to be reviewed and the current orders run out in March next year. The District Council now need to consult on the next set for the following three year period.
The current review affects all existing PSPOs within the District, such as when it is currently necessary for owners to keep dogs on leads in certain areas. In some places dogs are excluded, for instance in children’s play areas, bowling greens or tennis courts. They may have limited access such as on beaches out of season or at certain times of the day.
The Council is also consulting on a new proposal in the following area for changes to the current order. The proposal suggests recategorising the path between Swallowfields and Vire Island in Totnes to an area where dogs must be kept on a lead and they would like your thoughts.
The consultation runs until 14 November 2023. Officers can issue fixed penalty notices up to £100.00 for those who don’t follow the Orders.
Cllr Denise O'Callaghan, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member Housing; Environmental Health; and Licensing, said: “It’s important that as many people as possible give us their views on dog control in their area. There are many dog owners in the District and most are very responsible when walking their dogs.
“We would like to know residents’ thoughts on what we currently do to control dogs. Do you agree or disagree with what we currently do? Are there other conditions or areas you would like to see added? If so, let us know in the survey and add any problem areas to our online map too to help us see where the issues are. That way we can direct our resources to those areas.
“There is one new proposal suggested for dogs on leads so please let us know your thoughts for that too. We all need to live together so these Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) can help us to do that in harmony with everyone whether a dog lover or not.
“Please tell us what you think before the consultation ends on Tuesday 14 November.”
If you would like to share your thoughts about the proposals, share your views on: shdc-dogcontrol.commonplace.is
Or by post to:
Environmental Protection Team
South Hams District Council
Follaton House
Plymouth Road
Devon
TQ9 5NE
Tributes to Former South Hams Councillors
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
Tributes to Former South Hams Councillors
10 October 2023
South Hams District Council today pays tribute to long-standing former Ward Member for Marldon and Littlehempston, Trevor Pennington, who sadly passed away over the weekend aged 92.
The longest serving councillor in the District Council’s history, Trevor was elected to the District Council in 1976 before standing down in the recent May elections this year.
During that time, he was Chairman of the Council and held a cabinet post on the Executive until 2003. He held many posts across most Council committees, including the post of Chair of Audit, held from 2009 until 2016. A post he was well qualified for with his background as an Economics Lecturer both locally at South Devon College of Art & Technology and for the Open University, among other institutes.
He also served for many years as a Marldon Parish councillor and as their Chairman.
Outside of council life, he had an interest in dog breeding and exhibited flat coated retrievers and has previously judged in the UK, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland and the Netherlands.
In other sad news, it was also heard over the weekend that former Leader of the Council, Owen Masters had also passed away.
Owen was a councillor between 1987 and 2003 and was twice Council Leader during his term of office.
Aged 86, Owen served on many Council committees during his time as a councillor.
In his home life, he was a sub postmaster and a member of the Royal British Legion.
Cllr Julian Brazil, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “It’s a sad day for the South Hams. Both Trevor and Owen were honourable men who served their communities. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with them both. Committed and passionate in their beliefs, we will miss them.”
The thoughts of all staff and councillors at the Council go to both families at this very sad time.
Find your little big thing
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Welcome To Our October Newsletter!
| Meet Claire Pearce, Chair of the Climate Task Force |
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There are many actions already taking place across Devon that are successfully reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing the 
Specially-designed concrete panels will provide new habitats for marine flora and fauna on the edge of the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.
With autumn / winter on the horizon, it's time to start thinking about how to keep homes cosy and warm.
Local businesses are making great progress on becoming net-zero - over 120 businesses, councils, schools and more have already signed the Devon Climate Declaration to show the growing support for taking action.
Find out about upcoming events across Devon below.
Open Eco Homes Weekend; Totnes and Dartington; Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October
Next Steps in Carbon Farming; Online; Tuesday 17th October, 5:00pm – 6:15pm
Recycle Devon: International Repair Day; America Hall, De La Rue Way, Exeter EX4 8PX; Saturday 21st October, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Saving Species Conference: reconnecting, restoring and rewilding; South Devon College, Long Road, Paignton, TQ4 7EJ; Thursday 26th October, 9:30am – 4:00pm
Thirsty For Fashion Exhibition - Reused, Recycled, Reborn; Killerton, Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon, EX5 3LE; Daily until Sunday 5th November
New recycling containers to be delivered to 8,000 South Hams homes
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
New recycling containers to be delivered to 8,000 South Hams homes
Issued: 22 September 2023
Around 8,000 homes in the South Hams are set to receive new recycling containers in the next five weeks, as South Hams District Council prepares to improve its recycling and food waste collection service.
From Monday (25 September), the Council will be delivering the containers to the doorsteps and kerbsides of households who currently put out their recycling in blue and clear sacks.
Anyone who receives new containers should keep recycling as they already are (using their blue / clear sacks), until they hear from us by post on when to start using their new containers. Find somewhere safe to keep your new containers until then. Inside each set of recycling boxes is a handy information guide, so please check inside your new containers.
If you are a South Hams resident who already has recycling containers and are using them, you will not receive any new ones. Please continue to recycle as you are for now, until we advise of any future changes.
Each set of containers includes:
- Two recycling boxes with lids
- A white recycling sack
- A kerbside food waste caddy
- A smaller food waste caddy for your kitchen
- An information pack explaining how to use each container and stickers for your boxes
We’re doing this so that in the near future, everyone in the district will receive the same kerbside recycling service, and so we can recycle more than ever before to include food waste.
We’ll be sending a letter to all South Hams residents soon to advise on upcoming changes to the service. For many residents who already have their recycling containers, the main difference will be that the day of their weekly recycling and waste collections may change.
To find out more, visit: www.southhams.gov.uk/article/10149/New-Container-Rollout
District Council invests in more housing
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
District Council invests in more housing
21 September 2023
South Hams District Council is to boost its stock of homes to address the district’s immediate and future housing needs, a top priority for the new administration.
The new investment in the council’s housing supply is supported by the Government’s Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF).
LAHF is a government grant offered to councils to help with the pressures around placement breakdown for Homes for Ukraine guests and to support Afghan families stuck in bridging hotels.
Under the first phase of funding earlier this year, the Council bought seven properties in Sherford, on the outskirts of Plymouth, and will welcome its new tenants in December 2023. Due to an underspend in the project, the Council has agreed to buy one more property. The location of the new home is still to be decided.
The Council has also agreed to put £475,000 towards buying three properties under the second phase of funding which will be available before spring 2024. By the end of the project, the Council will own 11 homes through the LAHF scheme.
South Hams District Council’s Cllr Denise O’Callaghan, Lead Member for Housing said: “Supporting our local communities is at the heart of what we do in South Hams. By investing in these new properties, we can make sure that we meet the immediate needs of those who are displaced by conflict and war.
“Our investment in these properties is also part of our long-term strategy to build on the District’s housing stock. Once the current need for this type of accommodation declines, we will use the properties for our wider housing needs."
The decision to purchase the properties was agreed at today’s (21 September) Exec Committee meeting. At the same meeting, the council also discussed the progress of its own house building programme at St Anns Chapel, agreeing to the future management arrangements for its rental properties as well as the advertising of its three open market properties.
South Hams District Council’s Cllr Denise O’Callaghan, Lead Member for Housing continued: “It is great to hear that we will soon be able to advertise our properties at St Anns Chapel. This important development will offer local people the opportunity to access housing at lower than market costs, vital, when so many are facing financial difficulty.
“Please keep an eye on Devon Home Choice as our rental properties will be available very soon. We very much look forward to welcoming our first new tenants this autumn.
Council working to improve frontline services for residents
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
Council working to improve frontline services for residents
Issued: 21 September 2023
Littering, dog fouling and fly tip enforcement are to get a renewed focus from South Hams District Council as we work to provide better services for residents.
Enforcement of individual offences relating to littering, dog fouling and fly tip enforcement have proven to be notoriously difficult. We know that is frustrating for residents, but the Council has pledged to use Community Protection Notices more widely for persistent offences. This is an additional tool for the Council in the fight against littering and dog fouling.
The changes are just part of several changes being made by the Council to improve its community services across the district, to make sure that our communities ‘look and feel’ the absolute best they can.
At the same time the team will look to work with community and voluntary groups and parish and town councils to keep the South Hams looking and feeling as tidy as possible.
Cllr Victor Abbott, Lead Member for Community Services, said: “I’m pleased to see that we’re reviewing how we serve our communities, and making changes to ensure that we can be more efficient and effective.
“We know that issues like littering and dog fouling have an impact on people’s day to day lives. We want to do more to make the South Hams look its very best. I believe our staff and these changes will make this happen.
“It’ll lead us to using our resources more efficiently, serving the people of the South Hams more effectively, and within our current budgets.”
Plans Shape Up for Future Talks
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
Plans Shape Up for Future Talks
Issued: 21 September 2023
At their meeting on Thursday 21 September, South Hams District Council’s Executive committee set out their draft aims and ambitions for the next four years in their proposed Corporate Strategy for 2024-2028.
The draft corporate strategy has been developed in response to known challenges, such as the lack of truly affordable housing for local people and the climate and biodiversity crisis.
The strategy being considered is by no means all that the Council will do to support South Hams’ communities. It is aimed as a broad framework, with a number of focus areas which also include supporting the economy and delivering frontline services. Services like street cleansing, planning and enforcement that will improve the District for residents.
The ’Let’s Talk’ consultations will involve a series of engagements, which are proposed to run from Monday 25 September until Friday 20 October, and will include:
• An online survey on the full strategy
• A series of ‘short polls’ on social media channels on individual aims
• Conversations with key partners, including town and parish councils
• Public consultation sessions at various locations across the District
• Paper survey (on request) for anyone not online digitally
First viewpoints taken from residents during election campaigns and from local town and parish councils have already been included within the draft strategy. Further conversations with communities, key partners and a wider audience will follow during consultations over the coming months.
Publishing the draft strategy is intended to create a talking point for further conversations with residents.
Leader of the District Council, Cllr Julian Brazil, is encouraging residents to take a look at the draft aims and ambitions and have their say.
Cllr Brazil, said: “South Hams is a very special place, but it also has its challenges. The lack of local affordable housing is an ongoing issue that is a top priority for the Council to address. Together with the environment and biodiversity issues it will all take time to find solutions. But in everything we do, we have South Hams’ communities at the heart.”
“We’ve been listening to our communities and really believe that the strategy being considered reflects those things that matter to our residents. Residents need to know that they’ll have a safe and secure place to call home, they expect us to take steps to ensure we protect the environment and we need to ensure that there is opportunity to have a well-paid job in the South Hams.
“But this isn’t our strategy, it’s a strategy that we all need to get behind. From the end of September, you will get your chance either in person, or online to give your views. You can also contact us for a paper copy if that makes it easier for you.”
The consultation will be open for four weeks to give you a chance to give us your thoughts. Then we’ll look at each and every one of your comments and see if we need to adjust our proposals.
From Monday 25 September you can have your say by visiting ourcorporatestrategy.commonplace.is or emailing your thoughts to: strategy@swdevon.gov.uk
To read the full report, go to: www.southhams.gov.uk/Executive
You can also watch the meeting online at: www.youtube.com/user/southhamscouncil
