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Posts in category Other
Telephone scam received by South Hams resident
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SHDC – PROPOSAL TO CREATE A NEW COUNCIL
10/07/2017
Watch a video about our finances: https://youtu.be/vDBVVnMXGUw
A proposal to create one single new council is being put to all of the councillors from South Hams District and West Devon Borough Councils later this month.
Like many other local authorities across the country, South Hams and West Devon have been facing huge financial pressures due to the phasing out of the money they used to get from central government.
The reduction in government funding (revenue support grant and the councils share of business rates ) has been dramatically reduced by £4 million in South Hams and £3 million in West Devon since 2009/2010 . However through sharing services since 2007, the councils are currently saving £6 million a year. Despite this the councils are still facing a combined budget gap of £1.9 million each year after 2020, due to further government cuts.
Local councils are not allowed to set a negative budget, so South Hams and West Devon will have to find ways of closing that gap. If either of them cannot set a balanced budget in 2020, there would be severe financial consequences for both authorities because they are so intertwined.
Cllr John Tucker, Leader of South Hams District Council said: “We know that there are some key concerns that the public will have, and in the proposal you will see how we plan to address those concerns. The biggest one for our residents in South Hams is likely to be the difference between our council tax rate and West Devon’s, which is approximately £63 a year on a band D property.
“If the proposal goes ahead we would need to bring the two council tax charges to the same level and this may mean that South Hams residents will see an increase over the next few years, until they are at the same level. In the proposal we have laid out some different options for how this could be dealt with.
“If we do not do this, there is a risk that South Hams will run out of money after 2020, due to the lack of funding, we therefore want to make sure we consider all options to continue funding those services we know are vital to our local communities.
Cllr Tucker knows that these are very difficult decisions to make, but he says “both councils must address their financial positions so as to protect front line services”.
South Hams is encouraging anyone who is interested in the progress of the proposal to follow them on social media and sign up for their newsletters.
Notes to editor
In the proposal, which is one of a number of measures the councils are considering to close the funding gap, South Hams predict that the creation of a single council could save up to £0.5 m every year. This is excluding any potential income resulting from an increase in Council Tax. These savings would not be made through cuts to services, but because a single council will cost less to operate.
Over the last few months a working group of councillors, from both authorities, with representatives from across the political parties in South Hams and West Devon, have been exploring if the creation of one new council would be possible.
The detail of their work has now been made public in the proposal which will go to both councils, firstly West Devon Hub on 18th July and then South Hams Executive on 20th July. Potentially followed the next week by discussion at both full councils on 25th and 27th July. The accompanying report will be asking councillors to approve a public consultation.
Papers are now live on West Devon’s website before their Hub meeting on 18th July: http://mg.swdevon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=221&MId=305&Ver=4
StAnn’s Chapel proposal for new road refused
Application No.: 4097/16/OPA Date Received: 21 December 2016
Proposal: READVERTISEMENT (Amendments to detail of proposed new access and road
layout) Outline application with some matters reserved for residential development of circa 8 dwellings, open space and associated infrastructure with all matters reserved except for means of access (and associated off-site highway works)
Location: Proposed Development Site At Sx 663 471, St Anns Chapel, Bigbury, Devon
Dated 11th July 2017:- The South Hams District Council hereby REFUSE permission to carry out the development – described above for the following reason(s):
1. The proposed development is likely to generate an increase in pedestrian traffic on
highways lacking adequate footways and also lacking adequate visibility at the junction
of the C252 and the B3392 with consequent additional danger to all users of the road
contrary to paragraph 32 of the National Planning Policy Framework, Policy DP7 of the
South Hams Local Development Framework and Policy DEV 31 of the emerging
Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan.
2. Having regard to the new road access points, the provision of a new relocated and
wider highway and the resulting loss of Devon Hedgebanks, the proposal will fail to
conserve the landscape and scenic beauty in this part of the South Devon Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty contrary to paragraph 115 of the NPPF, Policies CS9 and
DP2 of the South Hams Local Development Framework and Policies SPT11, DEV24
and DEV27 of the emerging Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan.
Potential housing sites – StAnn’s Chapel
The results of the community survey about which of the six potential sites in StAnn’s Chapel would be the most favoured for a new housing development will be presented to the Parish Council on 12th July 2017. Click here to see the results, an outline of the next steps, and the separate map showing the locations :-
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN – UPDATE & INVITATION FOR COMMENT
Several detailed studies on different parts of the parish have been conducted as part of the process of building a Neighbourhood Plan for Bigbury. Comments on these studies are welcome and should be directed towards Valerie Scott, who chairs the NP Steering Committee, or any other member of the Steering Group (Bryan Carson, Beth Huntley, Grant Peet, Jo Simes, Jean Wright, Chris Franklin, Simon Bronstein, Jill Gubbins).
These studies are listed in separate files below and may also be found in the DOCUMENTS section of the Neighbourhood Plan GROUP on this website along with all other relevant material.
StAnne’s Chapel:- Study of St Ann’s Chapel Final Draft
Bigbury-on-Sea:- Study of Bigbury on Sea Final Draft 2
Challaborough:- Study of Challaborough Final Draft
Bigbury Village:- Study of Bigbury Village Final Draft
AONB’s water quality animation
We are very pleased to announce the release of our new film “The Drip – a watery tale” – beautifully animated by Tim Britton of Forkbeard Fantasy – it’s only 5mins long and we’d love you to watch it … and if you love it too, please do help pump it along the water connected pipeworks of your own catchment … the more ‘viral’ the better!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSrgPLkvP8Q
Introduced by a drip of water, this wonderful and engaging animation interprets the natural water cycle and other important areas of aquatic science and geography. It also takes a quirky look at the ‘dark side’, taking us on a thought provoking journey through the murky depths and issues of our own waste, only to re-surface with brighter optimism for a healthier future, full of home-grown heroes.
The rich poetic narration and colourful animated artistry of Forkbeard Fantasy adeptly leads us through many of the key concepts that geographers, scientists and practitioners can often struggle to interpret! From ‘water catchments’ to ‘nutrient enrichment’ – all are covered in just 5 magical minutes
Equally enjoyable as a school topic opener to encourage an early discussion or brainstorming, as a ‘closer’ to review the topic or simply found cruising the ‘YouTube flow’ for fun, it won’t disappoint.
Certificate ‘AONB’ – for everyone – from toddler to granny (Granny is a head-friendly unit of time used within the animation to represent 36-50 yrs or so … and egg cups a new unit of microbial populations!).
The film was commissioned by the South Devon AONB on behalf of the South Devon Catchments Partnership (co-hosted by the Westcountry Rivers Trust) using Catchment Based Approach funding from the Environment Agency.
Subject: Fly tipping campaign – launch
Last week, we launched our summer fly-tip campaign.
This is a two pronged campaign against fly-tipping. The first key message is directed at householders, and asks residents to beware of potential fly-tippers. The campaign asks residents to find registered carriers to take away their waste. The easiest way for residents to do this is by visiting www.southhams.gov.uk/wastecarriers and check whether the person or business being employed is registered with the Environment Agency.
The second approach is letting people know that the Council is watching fly-tipping hot spots.
The campaign uses eyes and ‘beware’ messaging–I have attached all of the posters we are using, please feel free to use them on your social media or community noticeboards and Town/Parish magazines.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Many thanks,
Karla
Karla White │ Specialist (Communications and Media)
South Hams District Council │ West Devon Borough Council
Email: karla.white@swdevon.gov.uk
Tel: 01803 861156
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