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

Posts by Stuart Watts

Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places

August 13, 2019 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

The Representation of the People Act 1983, Schedule A1
The Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2006, and the Review of Polling District & Polling Places (Parliamentary Elections) Regulations 2006.
South Hams District Council are required by law to carry out a review of the polling districts and polling places in the South Hams every 5 years.
The purpose of the review is to ensure that all polling districts and polling places are, as far as possible, suitable and accessible to all voters. We welcome comments from any person or organisation wishing to make a representation in respect of the arrangement of polling districts and polling places within the South Hams District Council boundary; or concerning the accessibility of polling stations wherever possible giving alternative suitable places that may be used. We would also like to hear from those people who are happy with their polling station as well as those who are not in order to have a balanced view to consider.

Polling districts
The Council is responsible for dividing its area into polling districts for the purpose of United Kingdom Parliamentary elections. The arrangements made for these elections are also used at all other elections and referendums. When designating polling districts, we seek to ensure that all the electors have such reasonable facilities for voting as far as practicable.
Polling places
The polling place is the geographical area in which the polling station is situated. It is common practice to define each polling district as the polling place, rather than designating a particular building, which allows some flexibility.
Polling stations
The polling station is the physical place in which polling takes place. The (Acting) Returning Officer decides on the location of the polling stations.
Steps for this review
Formal commencement of the review starts on Monday 12 August and will be on the website by that date.
We will publish the comments from the (Acting) Returning Officers as soon as they are received.
There will be a public consultation period commencing on the 12 August, 2019 which will end on the 20th September, 2019.
We will consider the representations received and publish draft proposals and have a second consultation period in October.
The final recommendations will be considered by South Hams District Council in November 2019.
Kind regards.
Elizabeth Tucker
Senior Specialist Electoral Services South Hams District Council

Bigbury Parish Council

ASH DIE-BACK DISEASE IN DEVON

August 8, 2019 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

Please see the following link:- Ash Dieback Postcard A6 proof2

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South Hams Declares Climate Change and Biodiversity Emergency

August 8, 2019 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

Issued: 30 July 2019

South Hams District Council held a Council meeting on Thursday 25 July, with councillors unanimously supporting a motion to declare both a Climate Change and a Biodiversity Emergency.

Following recommendations from the Executive committee in June, the Council agreed a Climate Change Emergency and went further, with the additional inclusion of a Biodiversity Emergency.
The Council will now collaborate with Climate Change agencies along with Devon Councils, including Devon County and Plymouth City, to address the emergencies.

Agreement was reached to develop an action plan which will outline how the Council will meet, or exceed, the UN’s intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) carbon reduction recommendations.

This will include an assessment on whether the 2030 target date will be practical. The assessment, to be presented to Council within six months, will also look at concerns about global species and habitat loss raised by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

A politically balanced Working Group will be established by the end of August led by the Leader, Cllr Judy Pearce, Lead Executive Member for Climate Change. At their first meeting, the Working Group will consider setting up a Citizens’ Assembly and to bring a recommendation to the next Council meeting on 26 September.

The Council will also take steps to ensure developers improve biodiversity within their development plans and to avoid, where possible, any impact to wildlife. Or, as a last resort, to carefully mitigate against any impact, in agreement with the Joint Local Plan Policy.

Cllr Hilary Bastone, Deputy Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “It’s important to have a clear plan of action about how to deal with the Climate Change and Biodiversity Emergency in an achievable timescale.

“We’ve put in place sensible steps to help us find out more and we’re looking forward to working with other organisations and councils, through our Working Group, to develop a plan which will help us to reduce our carbon footprint.”

Cllr John Birch, SHDC Ward Member for Totnes, added: “I’m pleased that we have also taken biodiversity into consideration when talking about Climate Change. Biodiversity is directly affected by a changing climate, and this has negative consequences for the populations’ wellbeing.

“With this in mind, I’d very much like to see a Citizens’ Assembly set up to gain the views of those living in the South Hams.”

Cllr Jacqi Hodgson, SHDC Leader of the Green Party, who tabled the original motion last December, was delighted that Biodiversity was now part of the formal Declaration, saying that ecological collapse was essential to urgently address, said: “It’s really important that going forward we take steps to make sure that when developers apply for planning permission, they have made provision to conserve and manage biodiversity to avoid any impact to wildlife habitats, wherever possible. If this can’t be avoided, then any harm should be minimised.”

Climate Change impacts all of the Council’s six Corporate Strategy themes. To read more about these themes, go to: https://www.southhams.gov.uk/article/5347/Council-Performance-and-Strategy

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Thefts from Boats In Salcombe – Cr-067899-19

July 29, 2019 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

We are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information in connection with reports of thefts from boats.
Between 1:15am and 3:15am on Sunday 28 July 2019 offenders have entered a Boat Yard in Salcombe via the water on a small boat. They have towed a number of boats out to the estuary, removed the engines and then let the boats drift.
If anyone saw or heard anything suspicious, or may have seen the suspects enter or leave the water then please get in touch.
We would again remind people to take all security precautions by removing all valuable items from boats.
If you see any suspicious activity please phone 999.
If you have any information or CCTV in the area mentioned please phone 101 or email 101@dc.police.uk quoting crime reference CR/067899/19.
Thank you.

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Fraudsters Are Convincing And After Your Money: police message

July 24, 2019 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

Elderly victims being targeted

Devon and Cornwall Police received two reports on Tuesday 23 July, of elderly residents being the target of telephone scams, with fraudsters working in the area.
Fraudsters are contacting victims by telephone and purporting to be a police officer or bank official.
To substantiate this claim, the caller might be able to confirm some easily obtainable basic details about the victim such as their full name and address.
They may also offer a telephone number for the victim to call to check they are genuine; this number is not genuine and simply redirects to the fraudsters who pretend to be a different person.
After some trust has been established, the fraudster will then, for example, suggest;
Some money has been removed from a victim’s bank account and staff at their local bank branch are responsible;
Suspects have already been arrested but the ‘police’ need money for evidence.
Today’s victims, a lady in her 80s from the Exeter area, and a man in his 70s from the Liskeard area, were contacted by someone pretending to be from the Serious Fraud Office, Scotland Yard, by the name of John Collins.
He stated that someone had used their account details to buy items online.
The fraudsters frightened the victims into believing their money was at risk and not to trust anyone in the bank.
They were told to withdraw nearly £10,000, as well as various amounts of foreign currency, from their personal accounts and hand them to a man called Martin Johnson working for the police; the courier.
It is often the case, to reassure the victim, a ‘safe word’ might be communicated to the victim so the courier appears genuine.
At the time of handover, unsuspecting victims are promised the money they’ve handed over will be reimbursed, but, in reality, there is no further contact and the money is never seen again.
Both victims have been safeguarded and no money has been paid out to the criminals.
The public are reminded that these fraudsters are highly professional in their approach and incredibly convincing. The best way to prevent these scams is to make everyone aware.
Remember, your bank or the police will never:
Phone and ask for your PIN or full banking password;
Ask you to withdraw money to hand over to them for safe-keeping, or send someone to your home to collect cash, PIN, cards or cheque books if you are a victim of fraud;
Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and address or even your mother’s maiden name), it doesn’t mean they are genuine;
Be mindful of who you trust – criminals may try and trick you into their confidence by telling you that you’ve been a victim of fraud.
Stay in control – if something feels wrong, then it is usually right to question it. Have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for personal or financial information.

Please note that this message was sent by Devon and Cornwall Police.

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NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN – REGULATION 16 CONSULTATION

July 23, 2019 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

Dear All,

As a consultee to the Bigbury Neighbourhood Plan, I am writing to you in accordance with Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning regulations to inform you that we have now received the Bigbury Neighbourhood Plan proposal.

We will formally consult on this document for a period of 6 weeks from Monday 29th July – Monday 9th September 2019 before making a formal decision as to whether we should instruct an independent examiner to carry out the examination.

Please respond to this consultation by email to SW-Neighbourhood Planning mailto:NeighbourhoodPlan@swdevon.gov.uk

The invitation to participate in this consultation is repeated in the following document :- Public Notice – Reg 16 SHs

If we do not hear from you before the 9th September 2019 we shall assume you have no comments to make.

You may view a copy of the plan by clicking on the following link:- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DHj47wxz-K11HzT3elnEZRVqAKFui-p6/view

Many thanks

Sarah Packham | Neighbourhood Planning Senior Case Manager
West Devon Borough Council | South Hams District Council

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DRIVERS TARGETED WITH FAKE FINES

July 2, 2019 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

What you need to know

Action Fraud have received an increase in reports and intelligence where elderly victims are being targeted by individuals purporting to be police officers or traffic wardens. The victims are being approached whilst parked in a car park and are told by the suspect that they have parked illegally or broken a speed limit and a photo has been taken of their car for ‘evidence’.

Victims are advised that they will face a substantial penalty fine unless they pay a smaller upfront fee immediately. Victims, who opt for paying the smaller penalty, will be directed to a parking meter and asked to enter their card and PIN. These parking meters have been tampered with by the suspect in order to retain the card.

Once the victim inserts their card and are asked for their PIN, the victims are shoulder surfed for their PIN by the suspect. Once victims input their PIN, the card is retained by the machine and victims are told by the suspect to seek help from the company who operates the parking meter or their bank.

What you need to do
If you are suspicious about the authenticity of the fine, do not pay it until you have verified it with your local council.
Always shield your PIN from view when using an ATM machine, and never share your PIN with anyone.
If your bank card is retained by an ATM machine, contact your bank immediately to inform them.

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CITIZENS ADVICE SERVICE – REVISED OPENING TIMES

June 20, 2019 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

SEE LINK:- Opening Times

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