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Council Asks Visitors to ‘Be Beach Aware’
Issued: 29 May 2020
Guidance on how to be beach aware has been issued by South Hams District Council following a spate of inconsiderate behaviour by a minority of users.
The District Council has issued cautionary advice to beach users who are flocking to visit South Hams’ beaches to enjoy the recent spell of sunny weather.
The high visitor numbers are causing a number of issues. Recently there have been occasions where the Council have become aware of large groups of people gathering together. They stress that Government guidelines for social distancing are still firmly in place and a distance of 2m should be maintained at all times for those outside of your household.
The area’s beaches have seen a rapid rise in overflowing bins as large numbers of people picnic in the sand. The Council know that most visitors are responsible, however they urge those who are not, to be sensible if bins provided are full. Please take picnic waste home to dispose of properly.
Waste left around bins, classified as fly tipping, causes the likelihood of rubbish being blown into the sea causing pollution of the beautiful coastline and an increase in vermin and seagulls.
Toilets at the most popular beaches are open, alongside the Council’s car parks and the Council want to ensure that residents and visitors alike are kept safe through social distancing, by regularly washing their hands and, where possible, using the RingGo app to avoid touching payment machines to further reduce the spread of the virus.
The Council are working as quickly as possible to reopen all toilets in a safe manner, however, where toilets have not yet reopened, the Council would expect that visitors would return home.
If visitors are taking their dogs to the beach, where allowed, please ensure that any dog poo is cleaned up and the bag safely deposited into a bin. If the bin is full, then please take this home as well and not leave it beside the bin.
With the terrible news of a number of lives lost on the water in the region over the past weekend, the District Council want to ensure that visitors are aware that there are currently no lifeguards on duty within the South Hams. Therefore visitors and especially families with children are encouraged to carefully follow guidance about water safety. Please take responsibility for the safety of family members and don’t use inflatables in the sea.
Cllr Judy Pearce, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “We are proud of our beaches in the South Hams and completely understand that visitors will want to visit them after so many weeks of lockdown, especially with the beautiful weather we’re currently experiencing. However, we need to ask you all to take care as we all strive to get back to normal.
“When parking the car, visiting the toilets or just sitting on the beach, please do keep to the social distancing rules so we don’t face a spike in the virus. If you carry a bag of picnic food to the beach and the bins have become over full, then please use that same bag to carry the rubbish back home for recycling.
“We’re opening toilets as quickly as we possibly can in as safe a manner as possible. Please bear with us. If toilets near you aren’t yet open, please return home or use the nearest open facilities.
“Finally, and very importantly, take care of your loved ones while there is no lifeguard cover on the beaches. There have been a few instances of tragic loss of life in the region over the recent week and we want to ensure these are not repeated. Please don’t use inflatables, only swim, or surf, to your capabilities and watch children very carefully. If you’re going out on a boat, make sure you have all safety precautions in place with properly fitting lifejackets and a kill cord attached.
“Take care and enjoy the beaches sensibly and safely.”
Gareth Morrison, RNLI Head of Water Safety, said: “If the charity’s lifeguards were present on the beaches today, they would be preventing many incidents before they even occurred by directing people to safe swimming areas, highlighting dangers such as rip currents and advising people not to use inflatables. These preventive measures are not currently in place meaning people could find themselves in danger if they are not reading the signs and following the relevant safety advice.
“Our lifeguards are trained to swim 200m within 3 1/2 minutes, and although our volunteer lifeboat crews are fully operational, should they be needed, they won’t be able to reach you in the same time.
“It is important that anyone visiting the coast understands that the beach can be a dangerous environment and you must take more responsibility for you and your family this summer. No one ever goes to the coast to be rescued yet RNLI lifeguards rescue 1000’s each year.”
For further information on Council services, please visit: www.southhams.gov.uk
If you’re heading to the coast, take a look at the RNLI’s advice and tips to help you have fun and stay safe: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety or for water activities, go to: https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity.
If you’re planning to go out on a boat, make sure you know how to stay safe by visiting: www.rya.org.uk/knowledge-advice/safe-boating
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Family groups, or households who live together, can safely visit along with one person from another home as long as they keep the agreed distance away from each other.
From Monday 1 June, groups of up to six people will be able to gather together since the Government’s five tests, including a fall in deaths, are now being met but the 2m distance rule still applies.
The recent launch of the NHS Test and Trace Service helps to identify those who may have come into contact with someone with the virus.
Dog Control Consultation – Have Your Say
Issued: 29 May 2020
South Hams District Council want your views in a public consultation about Public Space Protection Orders for dog control in the District.
A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) deals with potential anti-social behaviour in an area which could have a harmful effect on the quality of life for those in the local community. It can ban certain things, or need specific things to be done, in this case the control of dogs in public areas.
The Council know that most dog owners properly control their dogs and abide by the rules. However, they want to encourage every dog owner throughout the South Hams to be responsible and these Protection Orders help with that.
PSPOs last for three years before they need to be reviewed and the current orders run out in December this year. The District Council now need to consult on the next set of Orders for the following three year period.
The current review affects all existing PSPOs within the District and they want to hear what you think. The Council is also considering introducing new orders within existing PSPO areas, as follows:
Dog walkers must carry dog bags or other container to collect dog waste
Restrict amount of dogs that can be walked at to four at a time
The Council have received proposals from communities in the following five areas for changes to their current order:
Courtenay Park in Salcombe. Currently, Courtenay Park is an area where dogs are to be kept under control at all times. They are allowed to run free off the lead and dog walkers are expected to pick up after their dogs.
Proposal: The Council have received a proposal to re-categorise Courtenay Park to an area where dogs must be kept on a lead.
Butts Park, Newton Ferrers. Currently, Butts Park is an area where dogs are kept on a lead and dog walkers are expected to pick up after their dogs.
Proposal 1: A proposal has been received to re-categorise Butts Park to an area where dogs are excluded.
Proposal 2: Another proposal has also been received to re-categorise Butts Park to an area where dogs are kept under control at all times, allowed to run free except when organised sport is in play they must be kept on a lead, and where dog walkers are expected to pick up after their dogs.
Malborough Playing Fields. Currently, Malborough Playing Fields is an area where dogs are required to be kept under control at all times and on lead when organised sport is in play. Dog walkers are expected to pick up after their dogs at all times.
Proposal: The Council have received a request to withdraw the PSPO from the Playing Fields, which are owned by the Malborough Village Hall & Playing Fields Association, in favour of the Association applying its own rules for dog walkers.
Specified Beaches. Currently, all of the beaches listed, are closed to dogs between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. from 1 May to 30 September.
Salcombe South Sands
Hope Cove (Mouthwell Sands)
Challaborough
Bigbury
Wembury, and
Bantham (part of – to include private area also).
Proposal: Dogs to be excluded from the beach between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. from 1 July to 31 August.
The consultation runs from Monday 1 June to Friday 31 July 2020. Officers can issue fixed penalty notices up to £100.00 for those who don’t follow the Orders.
South Hams District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cllr Keith Baldry, said: “It’s really important that as many people as possible give us their views on how they feel about the existing Orders in their area. We have lots of dog owners in the South Hams and the majority are responsible and control their dogs perfectly well. We all need to live, work and play together so these Orders should help us to do that in harmony with others.
“We’d especially like to know residents’ thoughts on the new proposals for reducing large numbers of dogs being walked by only one person. Also the requirement that all dog walkers must always carry bags, or some other way to collect their dog’s waste, when they are in public spaces. Again this isn’t an issue for our responsible owners who we know already do this.
“If residents live in one of the five areas where new proposals have been suggested then we need to know what they think. Are the changes for the better or worse? Let us know.
“Please do tell us what you think by emailing our Environment Protection Team before the consultation ends on Friday 31 July.”
Once the consultation is closed, a decision will be made before any changes start from December 2020.
If you would like to share your thoughts about the proposals, please contact the Environmental Protection Team on: pspoconsultation@swdevon.gov.uk
Or by post to: Environmental Protection Team
South Hams District Council
Follaton House
Plymouth Road
Devon
TQ9 5NE
ENDS
SHDC: Planning for Recovery and Building Back Better
27/05/2020
A special meeting for councillors at South Hams has been set up to review the Council’s response to the pandemic and discuss opportunities for ‘building back better’.
The remote meeting, of the combined Overview and Scrutiny and Development Management Committee, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday 4 June and streamed live to residents over YouTube, will be a meeting of 25 Councillors from across all of the Council’s political parties.
Together they will discuss and scrutinise a report presented by Cllr Judy Pearce, the Leader of the Council.
Cllr Judy Pearce explains: “During the pandemic, our Council played a vital role in responding to the changing situation. Thanks to the way we work, the vast majority of our staff were able to work effectively and safely from home. Their willingness and ability to respond to the challenges by taking on roles that were very different from their usual role, helped us to provide support where it was needed most.
“In total we had 280 staff, on average, working from home at any one time, and 41 of those officers were redeployed into different jobs. For example, we created a new Community Response Team. Their willingness and ability to adapt quickly has been commendable.
“Councillors too from all areas of the Council stepped up to the challenge. Many of them were at the forefront of their community’s response. I would like to thank them all for their efforts, for helping their communities support those who needed it most.
“This pandemic has had a significant impact on us all in many ways. From the tragic loss of lives and financial strain, to the challenges of home schooling, coupled with being distanced from family, friends and extended support networks. Not to mention the as yet, unmeasured economic shock.
“Thankfully the South West region has not been subject to the high rates of infection as witnessed elsewhere in the country. For that, I would like to pay tribute to each one of you who have abided by the guidelines and made huge sacrifices. I thank you. However, we must be wary of the risk of a second peak of infection and we do not yet know the true cost of the pandemic.
“From the Council’s perspective, what we do know is that the Council’s finances have been badly impacted for a number of reasons. While we continue to play a key role, alongside partners, providing a range of support for individuals, the wider community and business – we are beginning to turn our attention towards recovery and what the future may look like for us.
“The report that I am presenting next week sets out how well we responded to the pandemic and proposes a framework for managing our recovery and renewal. I want all members of the Council to join together to shape the way forward and use what we have learnt to build back even better, because they all have an important role to play in the recovery.”
What the report tells us about the Council’s response:
The Council’s Approach
At the beginning of March, the Leaders and the Senior Leadership Team set out South Hams District Council’s approach to the pandemic. An Incident Management Team was formed and preparations were made to enable the organisation to adapt as the situation evolved. The Council clearly set out that it would follow Government advice, protect staff and the public, and be proactive.
Regionally the Council played a key role in the multi-agency partnership made up of representatives from the emergency services, the NHS, Public Health England, Local Authorities and others, including the military. This partnership is called the Local Resilience Forum (LRF). Together they work to limit the impacts of any incident. From the start, the Council worked with the LRF at national, regional and county level, ensuring that they were fully informed as the situation emerged and well placed to respond quickly.
Community Response
As explained above the Community Response Team was a new team that was brought together to provide support to South Hams communities. They held regular phone calls with the local Ward Members to identify what support was needed.
The Community Response Team developed a website detailing what support was available within each parish. They worked closely with communities in cluster groups where they collected shopping and prescriptions, supported the shielding and vulnerable, created and operated a community support telephone line and provided emergency food deliveries through food banks.
This was a completely new piece of work for the Council, with officers coming from many other areas of Council work to support the effort. They quickly identified the need to link businesses providing support with volunteers and helped to fill the gaps. They also created a Local Action Support Fund to help communities support those most in need.
Community Response in statistics (23 March – 18 May)
• 100% of rough sleepers offered accommodation
• 2941 households getting Council Tax Support
• E-Bulletins with vital information reached over 60,000 residents
• 104 food parcels delivered to those shielding
• 85 Businesses on website providing food and services
• £108,000 of emergency assistance secured from DCC
• Responded to 75 complaints about businesses breaching rules
Business Support
Shortly after the lockdown began, the Government announced a range of grants to support businesses. In response, the Council increased the number of people working in their Business Rates Team so that they could handle the volume of calls.
So far, the Council has paid out 82.4 % of grants to eligible businesses, totalling £38,495,000. This has helped over 3,350 businesses. As the situation has evolved, the Council has issued regular information to over 4,500 business on the Council’s newsletter distribution list, providing them with the latest information and support from the Government as it was published.
The Council is currently in the process of setting up the Discretionary Grant Fund, which the Government announced on the 2 May. This will be launched across all of Devon at the same time, to ensure a consistent county-wide approach to the grant. It is aimed at small businesses who were not eligible for the Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Fund.
Maintaining Services
Despite the social distancing rules, the Council has been able to provide the majority of its services in some format, while protecting the public and thinking about the welfare of staff.
Some services, such as food inspections and health and safety inspections did stop during the pandemic, as the hospitality industry was closed.
Waste services were also impacted by staff shortages in the early stages of the lockdown, by about 20%. At the same time, there was an increase of waste and recycling for collection from the kerbside. A 50% increase in waste and an 18% increase in recycling, as people staying at home cleared out their lofts and garages, did gardening and threw away food that they had stored for lockdown.
However, despite these challenges, all of the Council core Waste and Recycling services were provided. With the exception of bulky waste which was suspended when the recycling centres closed.
Cllr Judy Pearce added: “I am very proud of the way our councillors and staff responded to the challenges of the last few months, and I say thank you for everything you have done. However, now we must turn our attention to our plan for the future.
“Thursday is an opportunity for all Members to look at what our recovery might look like and to contribute towards that plan as we tackle the challenges ahead of us.
”Before the pandemic, our budget was already under strain with a £3.2 million cumulative budget gap predicted over the next five years. The pandemic has put extra pressure on us, with our income from fees and charges significantly reduced and income from Council Tax and Business Rates likely to fall as individuals and businesses suffer hardship.
“Councils across the country are facing a perfect storm. When our communities need us most; we too are suffering from reduced income. We estimate that we could see a reduction in our income and extra expenditure of over £6 million this financial year. We have received some financial support from Central Government (£900,000), but it is less than one sixth of what we need.
The Council will continue to lobby the Government so that we receive the appropriate level of funding to be able to plan confidently for the future. Each month, Councils complete a national return that informs the Government of how much COVID-19 is hugely affecting the finances of Councils. It is hoped that the Government will act with further funding when they have this national picture.
“Taking all of this into account and our need to continue to support our communities, with this report I am proposing a framework for recovery and I am setting out a range of issues that we now need to consider under each of the Council’s corporate themes.
“I am also inviting all Members who will be present at the special meeting on the 4 June, to help us refine these plans, to comment on these proposals I have laid out and help us shape what our new normal will look like.”
Go to the link for the live meeting
Go to the Report – click on Committee in the menu and find the South Hams Joint Development Management Committee and Overview & Scrutiny Panel, browse the agenda and select 4th June.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Statistical Information
Total call centre calls
12993
Community Helpline calls
354 calls since April the 11th
Calls to Vulnerable Residents
400
Business rate grant calls for April
2863
Business grants approved
3350
Number of business support grants approved totalling £X amount
£38,495,000
Community grants issued – how many? (From SH funds.)
19
Community grants issued – how much? (From WD funds.)
£4750
Food parcels delivered
104
Extra recycling or waste collected
April 2020 – collected an extra 69 tonnes of recycling – an increase of 18%.
Extra safeguarding calls
18
% of rough sleepers offered accommodation
100%
1
Number of households being helped with council tax support
2941 – Working Age Scheme
Staff working from home
280
Council officers redeployed into the Covid response
41
Number of Partner Campaigns supported
41
Community support videos issued
14
COVID-19 webpage views
51,280
COVID-19 E-bulletins sent
80
COVID-19 E-bulletins residents reached
60,629
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