Higlight the link below and then right-click to open it ‘in a new private window’ for details of the SWW newsletter and how to let them know what you think about their services.
http://southwestwater-email.co.uk/1FMM-1RPYW-DA9402RL7B/cr.aspx
Higlight the link below and then right-click to open it ‘in a new private window’ for details of the SWW newsletter and how to let them know what you think about their services.
http://southwestwater-email.co.uk/1FMM-1RPYW-DA9402RL7B/cr.aspx
As some PCs dont meet during the summer please find below a brief update of some of the key issues that I would be grateful if you could share around. Thanks W
DCC Update
As we are now 3 months on from the election I thought a quick update on issues may be helpful.
From a budget perspective all the news is for tougher outcomes. We are working on the need to reduce the DCC budget by about £100m over the next 4 years. This is on top of the savings already made (approx. £120m) and it goes without saying that it does not get any easier as most of the easy decisions/ low hanging fruit have already been taken. It will be clear that at the end of this process all council activity will be fundamentally pitched at statutory rather than discretionary activity. http://www.devonnewscentre.info/council-leader-delivers-stark-message-on-spending-reductions/
In response to the flood events during 2013 DCC, in our role as lead Local flood authority, DCC has completed the surveys and additional catchment studies for Modbury and Aveton Gifford. The details can be found at http://www.devon.gov.uk/devon-modbury-catchment-study-report-july-2013.pdf and http://www.devon.gov.uk/aveton-gifford-catchment-study-report-revc-20-june-13.pdf
Both are very detailed and give a clear understanding of the scale of the problem. We as Highways Authority are now working with SHDC as the local Drainage Authority and the Environment Agency and SWW to look at measures that can be taken to mitigate future events and identify funding sources.
We have also received the central govt contribution to flood damage from last year – the so called Belwin Funding . This is a little over £3m so still leaving us with a bill of about £9m to fund the damage done. Work is already completed to the bridges at Flete, Jubilee Bridge near Modbury and Puslinch Bridge on the Yealm. We are very aware that there is still a substantial backlog of work especially for rural drainage schemes which we are working our way through and seeking to improve the Parish Lengthsman service.
You will no doubt have seen the press releases about DCC’s failed OFSTED inspection for safeguarding children. I was asked to take over the brief for all children’s services including Skills and School, fostering and adoption. We have launched a comprehensive program of improvements and a very detailed action plan. Looking after our most vulnerable children must be one of our key statutory responsibilities and we all take this failed audit extremely seriously – it has certainly taken up most of my time since the election. There is a special page on the DCC site with details of the new vision for children’s safeguarding and looked after children as well as video of a presentation we did to staff. http://new.devon.gov.uk/ofsted/news/our-commitment-to-improving-child-protection-in-devon/
To support this we have also launched a new Fostering process to speed up the time from enquiry to panel selection, improved some of allowances to bring us in line with others and also launched a range of stepped placements to provide alternatives to children’s homes from fostering parents.
We will be doing a similar comprehensive review of both the adoption service and the Youth Service to ensure that all our teams supporting young people are pulling together in a more effective and holistic way.
Despite comments in the press about delays to the national Broadband programme I am pleased to say that the www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk programme continues at pace. The first areas for the roll out have been announced and despite the unavoidable delay in getting EU state aid clearance we are still on track for 90% + of all premises having access to Super Fast Broadband by the end of 2016. This is a considerable (£95m) investment by the Local Authorities, BT and the Govt and will be a key plank in supporting economic growth and social connectivity.
Hope you find this helpful. As ever, if you have any queries please do not hesitate to call/email
Kind Rgds
Will
William Mumford MRICS MBA
Cabinet Member Children, Schools & Skills
Devon County Council
Councillor Yealmpton Division
C/O Point House
Noss Mayo
Plymouth
Devon
PL8 1EW
H 01752 873002
M 07779149373
wdmumford@aol.com
www.willmumford.net
Love them or hate them, dogs are a fact of life on the beach at Bigbury-on-Sea, especially in summer when visitors flock down to relax with their pets.
Current policy is set out in the following link – http://www.southhams.gov.uk/article/3590/Dogs-on-Beaches
What’s your view?
South Hams and West Devon Councils will be holding Flood Forums at:-
• Kilworthy Park Council Offices, Tavistock between 1600 and 2000 on Monday 16 September 2013
• Follaton House Council Offices, Totnes between 1600 and 2000 on Tuesday 17 September 2013
As you may be aware communities in both areas have suffered badly from flooding over the past 12 months. Flood ‘drop-in’ sessions have been held in a number of localities and attended by relevant agencies. The aim of these sessions was to gather information and evidence from flood victims and to assist in the compilation flood reports to inform future action.
The events planned for this September aim to provide information and advice to communities and individual home owners with regard to flood protection measures and the actions that can be taken to minimise the risk of future flooding.
We have had a very good response from flood protection companies who are keen to participate in these forums, together with partner agencies who will be on hand to provide information and advice on the following subjects:-
• Floodline (EA)
• Preparation of community/personal emergency plans (SHDC/WDBC)
• Property flood protection
• Riparian ownership and the maintenance of water courses (DCC)
There will be facilities available for speakers to discuss ‘one to one’ on any issues, with these topics being covered every hour between 1600 and 2000.
We will be sending out more detailed information nearer the time but are keen for those interested to ‘pencil in’ these events as early as possible.
If you would like to discuss this further, please contact either:-
Jackie Smith, West Devon Borough Council Senior Engineer on 01822 813540 or e-mail – jsmith@westdevon.gov.uk
or
Peter Dale, South Hams Emergency Planning Officer on 01803 861278 or e-mail – peter.dale@southhams.gov.uk
See what is happening to your local river by clicking on this link:-
The Minutes of the PC meeting of 10th July are available for scrutiny in the DOCUMENTS section of the Bigbury Parish Council GROUP.
The long-awaited results of the archaeological surveys of the preferred affordable housing site at StAnn’s Chapel are available in the DOCUMENTS section of the Bigbury Parish Council GROUP. The results are presented in two documents. The first document is an overview which includes a desk-based study of available information on the site. The second document presents the geophysical (magnetic) survey results in more detail.
The progress of the proposed housing development and associated, additional archaeological studies will depend upon the evaluation of these results by the Devon County Archaeologist and the Local Planning Authority (SHDC).
The recent Minutes may be found in the DOCUMENTS section of the Bigbury Parish Council GROUP
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