News, views and Events in and around Bigbury, South Devon

Posts by Stuart Watts

NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN – FINAL ADOPTED VERSION

May 5, 2020 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

The final version of Bigbury’s Neigeither hbourhood Plan, adopted by SHDC, is now available in the DOCUMENTS section of the NP Group, with or without Appendices. Go to NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN>DOCUMENTS>SELECT CATEGORY>FILE

The one change from the earlier version is the recommended amendment to the wording of the first housing objective at the top of page 10 where the reference to ‘village development boundaries’ should read ‘village settlement boundaries’. In all other parts of the Plan the wording ‘village settlement boundaries’ has been used.

Bigbury Parish Council, NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN, Other

CORONAVIRUS: HELPING COMMUNITIES

May 4, 2020 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

See link for helpful information:-
https://www.devoncommunities.org.uk/coronavirus-information

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Rural organisations call for lockdown travel guidelines to be reviewed

April 29, 2020 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

Extract from Rural Service Network Bulletin
27.04.2020

Several news outlets including the BBC, Yorkshire Post and Sky, report on calls from rural groups against recent advice to police forces that it is lawful to drive somewhere to exercise, including a trip to the countryside

The groups argue the new rules would cause ‘untold anxieties’ in rural communities and risk spreading the virus through unnecessary journeys. Driving to the countryside for a walk is ‘likely to be reasonable’ if more time is spent walking than driving, the guidance says.

But in a letter to Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, the rural groups claimed the guidance would make managing COVID-19 more difficult.

Police groups say the advice is not for the public – it is meant to help officers decide when to charge someone.

The letter challenging the guidance is signed by the National Rural Crime Network, the Countryside Alliance, the National Farmers’ Union, and the Country Land and Business Association.

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ALL CAR PARKS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

April 29, 2020 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts
ALL CAR PARKS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

With the tacit support of the police, South Hams District Council and Devon County Council, this sign will be posted on the approach roads to Bigbury and Bigbury-on-Sea within the next few days:-

Bigbury Parish Council, Other
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DCC: testing for essential workers, support for families with disabled children and the NHS is still here for you

April 28, 2020 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

See link:-
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/288d301

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Beach activity during COVID-19 pandemic

April 25, 2020 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

A statement from Drew Parkinson who is Area Commander For the Coastguard in the South Devon area known as Area 10.

“Coastguard Rescue Teams are assisting Devon & Cornwall Police with Mutual Aid Taskings. Coastguards will be assisting the Police by identifying areas where lots of people appear to be gathering together for BBQs or socialising rather than exercising. They will also identify areas where large numbers of people are exercising making it difficult to social distance.

Coastguard Rescue Teams remain fully operational throughout these taskings and are able to respond to coastal emergencies.

Requests for Mutual Aid should be raised through the Local Resilience Forum for consideration.”

Kind Regards,

Drew Parkinson
Coastal Operations Area Commander – Area 10

The Local Resilience Forum for the SW is : Devon & Cornwall Police, Emergency Planning Unit, 7-9 Hamilton Drive, Middlemoor, Exeter, EX2 7HQ. Contact: Neil Hamlyn Devon & Cornwall LRF Community Risk Register lrf@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

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Thumbs up for new Chief Executive

April 24, 2020 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

Release date: 23 April 2020

This week South Hams District and West Devon Borough Council have approved the appointment of their new joint Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service.

Andy Bates, who is currently the Principal Adviser for the Local Government Association (LGA) in the South West, will be joining the Councils in June.
Cllr Judy Pearce Leader of South Hams District Council said: “We would all like to send a warm welcome to Andy. We are delighted that he will be joining us. Andy has a wealth of experience working with councils across the region and this will be invaluable as we look to the future.”

Cllr Neil Jory Leader of West Devon Borough Council added: “I am delighted Andy accepted the appointment. Those of us on the appointment panel unanimously agreed that Andy was the right person for the job.”

Andy Bates has worked for the Local Government Association since 2005.

Positions Andy held include, Principal Consultant, Senior Improvement Manager and then as the Head of Improvement (2005-2011).

In 2011 Andy moved into the role of Head of Peer Support, a job that involved advising on the strategic direction of the new LGA.

Since September 2013, Andy has been the regional lead for the LGA in the South West, acting as the key relationship manager and principal adviser to chief executives and political leaders on all matters affecting local government.

Hearing that his appointment had been approved by both councils, Andy Bates said: “I am honoured and delighted to be invited to become the new Chief Executive of South Hams and West Devon – councils which have an excellent reputation for the efficient and effective way in which they deliver services in their areas”

“I have been impressed by the way the Councils have responded to the current Corona virus crisis to ensure that residents and business continue to get the help and support they need. I look forward to joining you all in June.”

ENDS

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Update Covid-19- from Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew

April 23, 2020 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

Continue to Play Your Part in Keeping Our Communities Safe

We must all continue to play our part in tackling the spread of Coronavirus.

Just under 300 fines have now been handed out by Devon & Cornwall Police topeople who were breaking coronavirus restrictions issued by the government.

In the 10 days between Good Friday, April 10, and 20 April, 296 fines were issued as a last resort across the region by our officers; the vast majority of these were issued to those undertaking non-essential journeys.

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said: “By now, everyone should know what their responsibility is in the battle against coronavirus; keep staying at home, try to stay local when exercising and only undertake essential travel. This will help us protect the NHS and ultimately, to save lives.

“There is no room for complacency and we must all keep adhering to the government advice. The majority of people are continuing to play their part in reducing the spread of Covid-19 and to them that I say thank you, your role in this should not be underestimated.

“There has been much discussion around the legislation and what it does and doesn’t specifically prohibit.

“It’s important to remember that a key factor is if a person’s actions are reasonable or not, and this is why our officers will continue to have conversations with those they stop and will make individual judgements based on specific circumstances presented to them.”

ACC Mayhew added: “A very small percentage of those people our officers speak to during police stops result in enforcement.

“The feedback from the vast majority of our communities is that we are currently striking the right balance between engagement and enforcement, and we will continue to strive to deliver a proportionate approach to the legislation.

ACC Mayhew said: “Please keep to doing your bit by staying at home and avoiding unnecessary travel; you are protecting the NHS and saving lives.”

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