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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Healthwatch Devon
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Category Archives: Uncategorised
South Hams wants improvements to Devon’s water infrastructure
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
South Hams wants improvements to Devon's water infrastructure
Issued: 13 December 2024
South Hams District Council has reiterated its commitment to the environment by attending a county-wide summit looking at how Devon’s water quality can be improved.
Council Leader Julian Brazil and other senior members of the Council attended the Devon Water Summit on 12 December, which brought together local authorities, Government agencies, the Environment Agency, South West Water and other stakeholders to discuss what can be done.
Cllr John McKay, Lead Member for the Biodiversity and Climate Change, said: “The Council is very concerned about continuing pollution, be it through sewage discharges, industry and agriculture, or general weaknesses in our water infrastructure.
“Protecting our environment and increasing biodiversity are one of our top priorities. Ensuring our water is clean is vital for the health of our rivers and seas, wildlife and residents.
“All eight district councils in Devon attended the summit and it’s encouraging to see colleagues share our strong feelings. We will co-ordinate with them to lobby government and hold both the Environment Agency and South West Water to account.”
Cllr Julian Brazil, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “I am very disappointed that the Chief Executive of South West Water, arguably the most crucial stakeholder in these discussions, didn’t attend the summit.
“The importance and depth of feeling around this issue is clear. You only need to look at the outbreak of cryptosporidium in the South Hams and Torbay earlier this year to see that there are issues with our infrastructure that urgently need to be worked on.”
“Events like the outbreak cannot be allowed to happen again. Clean water is the most basic of human rights, and our water management in the county must be more effective going forward. It is crucial to not just the environment, but tourism as well.
“How regularly are there stories in the press about sewage being pumped onto our beaches, or tourists becoming unwell after swimming on our coastline? It’s unacceptable. Things have to change.”
Have Your Say on Car Parking Proposals
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
Have Your Say on Car Parking Proposals
Issued: 10 December 2024
Changes to car parking charges and the introduction of a Resident Parking Discount Scheme, have been proposed by South Hams District Council and now it’s your turn to have your say.
After 4 years of frozen car park prices to support residents and businesses throughout the cost-of-living crisis, the Council can no longer afford the significant rising costs of delivering services. Therefore, they are regrettably considering increasing charges from 1 April 2025.
They checked car parks in similar locations across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset to compare their current charges and their proposed new charges. Following this review of charges across the South West, it is clear that car parking charges in the South Hams are lower than most.
Residents of the South Hams would be able to apply for membership of a new Resident Discounts Scheme. This will allow them to access lower parking charges at all their council-owned car parks via the cashless parking app. Those who don't have a smartphone will receive an extra half hour parking time instead.
You can let them know your thoughts online at: https://offstreetparkingcharges.commonplace.is
The consultation opens on Thursday 12 December and closes at 5 p.m. on Sunday 5 January 2025.
Or for those who do not have access to online services, by post to:
The Car Parking Team
South Hams District Council
Follaton House
Plymouth Road
Devon
TQ9 5NE
The final decision will be made in January 2025.
Free Town Centre Parking This Christmas
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
Free Town Centre Parking This Christmas
Issued: 2 December 2024
South Hams District Council are delighted to be adding some festive cheer to residents by offering 2 days’ worth of free parking in local towns.
These parking perks are part of the Council’s pledge to support thriving and strong high streets throughout the year.
Christmas is just around the corner and helping customers get the most from their pocket while buying their Christmas shopping on the high streets and attending the many exciting events planned for the District is one of the District Council’s top priorities.
So, what are you waiting for? Explore everything the varied wonderful towns in the South Hams have to offer by taking advantage of the different free Christmas parking dates in District Council car parks on the following days and times:
- Dartmouth
- from 12 noon - 14 December
- from 4 p.m. - 19 December
- all day - 22 December
- Ivybridge
- all day - 7 and 14 December
- Kingsbridge
- all day - 14 and 21 December
- Modbury
- all day - 7, 14 and 21 December
- Salcombe
- all day - 14 and 21 December
- Totnes
- from 1:00 p.m. - 11, 12, 18 and 19 December
As well as the free perks of parking, don’t forget the marvellous events taking place. You haven’t heard what events are taking place in each town you say? Well, check out this handy online guide: www.southhams.gov.uk/christmas-events
South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Community Services and Operations, Cllr Victor Abbott, said: “We want to celebrate Christmas and offer a bit of a boost with 2 free days’ worth of parking to help our local high streets. There are some amazing events taking place organised by our hard working town councils and community groups and we want to support them and our local businesses by helping out.
“On the high street, you get the magic of decorated window displays and children choosing presents from shop windows with staff talking knowledgably about their unique products on sale, it’s priceless; you just don’t get that online when you shop.
“It’s an opportunity to also soak up the festive atmosphere with music and Christmas lights, the wonderful markets, or visits to Father Christmas. There is so much on offer and more than just parking for free, it’s an experience. So take a moment to stop, have some festive food and drink and enjoy your time with family and friends. Let’s be honest, the free parking is just the cherry on top.”
Resident parking discounts on the horizon in South Hams
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
Resident parking discounts on the horizon in South Hams
Issued: 20 November 2024
After listening to the views of local town councils, plans for an innovative discounted residents’ parking scheme will be discussed by the Executive at South Hams District Council on Thursday 21 November 2024.
Delivering effective services and the wellbeing of communities is at the heart of each decision the Council makes - and essential services such as car parks, public toilets and the other services are all part of ensuring towns thrive and succeed.
After 4 years of frozen car park prices to support residents and businesses throughout the cost-of-living crisis, the Council can no longer absorb the significant rising costs of delivering services that residents and businesses value, so is regrettably considering increasing charges.
The District Council plans to continue to offer support to its local communities in the current difficult financial climate.
Residents who sign up to the proposed scheme would get a discount on prices displayed in district council-owned car parks.
Even with the increases visitors to the South Hams will still be paying less for parking when compared to other similar tourist areas across Devon and Cornwall.
Consulting closely with local town councils, the District Council has listened carefully to their feedback. New adapted proposals ready for the Executive meeting, take account of their views that not all increased charges should fall on visitors.
Cllr Victor Abbott, Executive Member for Community Services and Operations: “For 4 years we have frozen our prices, but we can’t keep doing this with increasing costs. The new changes ensure that visitors make a fairer contribution to the cost of the services they use but reflect the views of our larger town councils that visitors shouldn’t pick up the full bill.
“This latest proposed scheme means residents will pay a little less than the advertised car parking rates; while still valuing our visitors and the impact they have on our local economy and keep charges as competitive as possible across the whole of the region.
“We are being open and transparent and everyone will be given the opportunity to give us their views in a public consultation before a final decision is taken.”
You can read the full report at www.southhams.gov.uk/south-hams-executive-meetings
Watch the meeting live at 10 a.m. on www.youtube.com/user/southhamscouncil
A public consultation will soon be launched where everyone can share their views.
The final decision will be made in January 2025.
Devon Climate Emergency November Newsletter
| Action on climate change in Devon and dates for the diary |
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The Environment Agency and Network Rail are undertaking significant work to protect the main rail line through Devon and into Cornwall, particularly the section between Exeter and Dawlish along the Exe Estuary. This area is vulnerable to erosion due to rising sea levels and increased storm activity, both consequences of climate change.
Working together to clean up our waters
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
Working together to clean up our waters
21 October 2024
With cleaner waters a hot topic, organisations have been coming together to see how our marine industry can do its bit to tackle air and water pollution across the South Hams.
As part of its promise to protect the environment and boost the local economy, South Hams District Council has been working with local marine businesses, harbour authorities and industry experts to help move away from fossil fuel to electric power on the water.
At an electric propulsion workshop on 18 October at South Devon College Marine Academy, Cllr John Birch, Executive Member for Economic Development said: “We want to see our local marine economy thrive and embrace the future of electric power. It is so important that businesses stay ahead of the curve when it comes to cleaner technologies; this is the future, and we want everyone on the journey with us.”
The workshop also heard from Salcombe Harbour Authority who talked about its plans to electrify the Council’s fleet of vessels, including the trial of an electric water taxi and RIB.
There are many projects the Council is delivering to help to reduce carbon emissions and pollution along the District’s coast.
Following its successful vessel recycling project at Creekside Boatyard in Dartmouth, the Council is now looking to upscale its work in tackling the issue of abandoned boats across the District.
It recently partnered with the Royal Yachting Association’s environmental programme, The Green Blue to seek the marine communities’ views on electric propulsion.
It is also working with The Carbon Trust to create a toolkit that will measure the carbon footprint for all boat users in Salcombe Harbour, as well as its own fleet of vessels.
Cllr John McKay, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity said: “The only way we can tackle climate change is by working together.
“We want to protect our beautiful waterways here in the South Hams so that future generations can enjoy our coastal areas and rivers for many years to come – these projects will certainly help to do just that.”
Devon Climate Emergency October Newsletter
| Action on climate change in Devon and dates for the diary |
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