Here's a short video about the Bay View Cafe and the struggle to keep it – as the story stands now. Of course things are likely to change and we could just have a pile of rubble in a few months time if the developers get their way so object to the applications to demolish the cafe.
Posted by Johnny Morris on Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Posts in category environment
BAY VIEW CAFE – THE VIDEO!
SHDC Tightens its Belt
Deciding which services to protect and which ones to change
It’s that time of year again when local authorities, Town and Parish Councils and the emergency services set their budget for the next financial year.
As they look ahead they will be deciding how they can continue to deliver essential front line services, which services they could cut and if they need to collect more money from residents through council tax.
On Thursday 1 February, South Hams District Council will be laying out how it plans to spend its budget next year, and it looks like councillors will have to make some tough decisions.
Cllr John Tucker, Leader of South Hams District Council said: “As we have been saying for a number of years now, the amount of money that we get from central government to pay for services has been reducing. It is therefore inevitable that we are proposing to increase Council Tax by the maximum that we are allowed to increase it by and that is £5 a year on a band D property.
“A number of the proposals that we have put forward to deal with the budget gap in recent months have failed to gain support and we are now in a position where we are going to have to cut some of our non-statutory services in order to protect the statutory front line services. Even some of the frontline services such as recycling and waste may need to change in order for us to balance the books.”
Statutory services in the South Hams (these are services that the council has to provide) include recycling and waste, licencing, planning, environmental health, looking after the homeless, administering benefits and collecting Council Tax and Business Rates.
Non-statutory Services in the South Hams (these are services which the council currently provides, but is not required to provide by law) include public toilets, garden waste collection, grant funding and lifeguarding.
Cllr Tucker continued: “The changes to the non-statutory services which we are considering include closing public toilets, installing pay on entry or giving them to local communities to run, reducing partnership grants and reducing the amount of lifeguarding we provide on private beaches.
“In addition to this if we stop accepting cash and cheques at our offices, we can make an instant saving. Another way for us to change how we operate is to increase charges for some of the services we provide or increase the amount of property we own and rent it out. Providing beach huts is one way other councils have generated an income.”
All of these proposals will be discussed at the next meeting of the South Hams District Council’s Executive on Thursday 1st February, before being taken to full council for approval on 22 February.
Cllr Tucker concluded: “We do not like having to make cuts and increase fees, but there is only so much money in our budget. We will continue to bring forward proposals to help us generate an income, but our objective right now is to balance the budget for next year and continue to provide a good level of service to the public.”
Balancing the budget is an ongoing task for South Hams District Council every year, and they are encouraging residents who have questions, are concerned or who would like to be part of the ongoing discussions with the Council about the future of the services, to speak to their District Councillor, join a District Council focus group and join the conversation.
For more information see www.southhams.gov.uk/news. The full budget papers can be seen at http://mg.swdevon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=497&Ver=4
ENDS
www.southhams.gov.uk
Please be aware that telephone calls to and from the Council may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.
ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS INCIDENTS
Following a local incident involving a potentially hazardous bonfire emitting noxious fumes and causing distress to neighbours, it may be worth pointing out that in the event of an environmental hazard the Environment Agency has a 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60. They will log any incident, investigate and follow it up with personal feedback.
Whether its commercial and potentially hazardous bonfires or water pollution, they are there to help.
StAnn’s Chapel planning appeal – IMPORTANT
Valerie Scott (Chairperson of Bigbury’s Neighbourhood Planning Group) writes – I enclose an article (Article re Planning Appeal St Ann’s Chapel ) about the planning appeal which has just been made in respect of the proposed development of 8 dwellings at St Ann’s Chapel. This application was firmly opposed by the Parish Council and the community and it is important that people should be aware that they can now make representations to the Planning Inspectorate. I also attach a plan of the proposed development ( StAnn’s Chapel Layout plan ).
Bigbury-on-Sea lay-by: ideas and suggestions invited
The Parish Council, which owns the lay-by, wishes to make this unusual community asset a more attractive site for both locals and holidaymakers. They seek the views of the local community to ensure the concept and design meet the expectations of residents.
See link for details and photograph:- Lay-by
PALM OIL WARNING – NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Palm Oil
A local resident has reported that there is Palm Oil washed up on the beach at Ayrmer Cove.
If so, no doubt it will also be along our immediate coast line.
Please stay alert and remember if your dog eats this it could prove fatal!
AVON ESTUARY FORUM
Anybody with an interest in the Avon Estuary is invited to the forthcoming Forum. See link below for details:-
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