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

Posts tagged South Hams

Democracy Viewed Live at South Hams

January 7, 2020 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

Issued: 7 January 2020

You can now watch South Hams District Council and South Hams Development Management (DM) Committee make their decisions live on social media.

South Hams District Council has now started streaming all meetings which take place in the Council Chamber at Follaton House to their website, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Openness and Transparency in local government is very important. It enables the public to understand what their politicians do for them and how they make their decisions.

Cllr Nicky Hopwood, Executive Member for Communications said: “We live in a world now where information is delivered to the public on hand held devices as and when they want it. If we are going to reach our residents and they are going to understand the complexities of the decisions we make, and take part in that democratic process, then it is essential that we make our meetings more accessible.”

South Hams District Council has now joined the many councils across the country who have made it possible for the public to watch their democratic process from the comfort of their own homes.

Following an internal trial period, the first meeting to be streamed live on social media, was the Development Management Committee meeting on Wednesday 4 December. The streaming was well received by those who watched it online.

This is also a positive step towards reducing the Council’s carbon footprint. The South Hams covers nearly 900 square km so it’s not always practical for residents, agents and staff of the applications considered that day to drive to Follaton House to view the proceedings.

Where committee meetings are held in other rooms at Follaton House, such as Executive, Overview and Scrutiny, Audit and Licensing committees, the Council is considering options to find a solution to live stream them as well. The effectiveness of the streaming system will then be reviewed again in November this year.

Cllr Nicky Hopwood continued: “We’re delighted that we have started to stream our meetings because it’s crucial that we are transparent about decision making at the Council. Meetings have always been available for the public to attend in person, but now we can open them to a much wider audience to view in their homes or workplace.

“Social media has enormous followers so it’s really important that we broadcast on a number of different platforms to get the biggest audience we can. Even if you don’t have social media, you can still watch from our Join the Conversation webpage on your mobile phone, tablet or computer.”

“We know we still have a way to go to get all of the meetings streamed online and this is down to the cost involved and the logistics of each committee room, but this is in important and very welcome first step.”

January’s streamed committee meetings are Development Management, known as ‘Planning’, on Wednesday 15 January and the Joint Budget Consultation meeting of the DM Committee and Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Thursday, 23 January.

Check the times and dates of all of South Hams District Council’s meetings at www.southhams.gov.uk/Committees

You can view streamed meetings on SHDC’s:

Webpage: www.engagement.southhams.gov.uk
Facebook: @southhamsdistrictcouncil
Twitter: @SouthHams_DC
YouTube: South Hams District Council
Check the website and social media for information about future meeting dates.

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Review of Parking Permits

November 15, 2019 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

Reviewing Permits

31/10/2019

South Hams District Council has decided to conduct a thorough review of how its parking permits work, to see if changing the scheme could release more parking spaces for visitors.

Concerns have been raised in recent months about the amount of parking taken up by permit holders, which limits the turnover of short-term parking for shoppers and visitors. Not only does this cause frustration for motorists wishing to park, but also limits the number of people able to visit towns and villages in the South Hams.

Cllr Keith Baldry, Executive Portfolio Holder for the Environment said “We have decided to conduct a thorough review of our permits across the whole District. This is to ensure that we hear everyone’s views. We want to understand how people are currently using the car parks, what they think of this and any issues or frustrations they have.”

While the review takes place, South Hams District Council has temporarily suspended the sale of new parking permits.

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Agreed – A Plan for Slapton

October 23, 2019 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

Funding to plan the future of the Slapton Line in the event of further damaging storms has been secured by the Slapton Line Partnership (SLP).

The SLP are delighted to announce that funding has been secured from the Environment Agency, South Hams District Council (SHDC) and Devon County Council to allow for the recruitment of an Adaptation Manager.
The purpose of this new post will be to work closely with the community and the Partnership to help to ease traffic issues and to create positive changes to prepare for the future loss of the Slapton Line A379 road.

The post will be hosted by the South Devon Area of National Beauty (AONB).

A study has shown that there is now no room left to move the road following the severe storm of 2018 which devastated 700m of the highway and made it necessary to move it up 20m closer to the edge of Slapton Ley. Though it is impossible to predict when damage will occur, sea level rise and changing weather patterns will lead to the road being increasingly at risk.

As a result the Partnership have had to create a new plan of action for the future and accepts that, if another storm badly damages the road and it can’t be easily repaired, the road is unlikely to be replaced again.

The Partnership knows that this would have a huge impact on local communities and road users, so they have created an Adaptation Plan. This has been informed by suggestions from the community at a series of recent workshops to reduce the impact and make changes to help the communities thrive after the road has gone.

Significant funding has already been used to improve passing places and road surfaces along alternative routes and some improvements will continue to be made.

Cllr Julian Brazil, SHDC Ward Member for Stokenham, said: “If the road goes then we have to have a plan B. It is vital to support the local businesses and local communities. This funding will help us prepare for the future. We hope for the best but we must plan for the worst.”

Cllr Richard Foss, SHDC Ward Member for Allington and Strete, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to help fund the Adaptation Manager. We do need to adapt to changing circumstances and having someone on the ground to support our communities and businesses is a great start to moving forward. I can assure residents that I will do my level best to support them wherever I can.”

The role will develop and share the plan through community engagement, look at improving tourism to the area and support businesses on how they can adapt to the changing area. They will also look at how they can improve road signage and access to the area’s villages and tourist destinations. Car parking and public transport to accommodate residents and visitors will also be investigated.

Martin Davies, Environment Agency’s, Flood and Coastal Risk Management Advisor, said: “We recognise the potential impact of change along this important stretch of coastline and continue to support Slapton Line Partnership and communities to adapt to coastal change.

“The Adaptation Manager is an important role, supported by the South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, to help manage change locally and to learn lessons for other sites which could be affected by the impacts of coastal and climate change.”

Devon County Council Leader John Hart said: “The re-aligned route of the Slapton Line is much more resilient, however the location will always be vulnerable to the elements. Clearly we hope the road will be in place for many years to come but it makes sense that the Partnership considers how to prepare for the possibility of any damage in the future.”

For more information on the Slapton Line Partnership, please visit: www.slaptonline.org

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The Horror – 1/4 of Grey Bin Waste is Food

October 23, 2019 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

7 million tonnes of food waste each year in the UK.
1/4 of the waste in our bin lorries, is food waste that could have been recycled.

End the horror this Hallowe’en and recycle your pumpkin.

As if Hallowe’en wasn’t scary enough. Just think of all that food waste that could have been recycled.

This year you could make a huge difference to the amount of food waste produced in the South Hams, with one simple change: when you’re finished with your pumpkin, either home compost it or put it in your brown bin.

Any kind of food waste can be placed in your brown bin, whether cooked or uncooked, and the material goes to make soil conditioner for use in farms around the UK. You can wrap your food waste in biodegradable food waste bags, or in newspaper if you prefer.

Cllr Keith Baldry, South Ham’s District Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “The real horror at Hallowe’en is the tragic waste of so many pumpkins, which could have been recycled into soil conditioner to grow more for next year. Around the South Hams we still see approximately a quarter of food waste placed in the grey bin, so by putting your pumpkin in the brown bin this year, you could make a real difference.”

And if you’re wondering what to do with the inside of your pumpkins? Well, why not make some delicious pumpkin soup, pie or curry? The possibilities are endless – just search pumpkin on www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes

Don’t let your pumpkin become another Hallowe’en horror – recycle for the South Hams!

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Edmeston Farm to Fancy Cross, Modbury -TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC & PARKING

May 25, 2019 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

See link for details:-

190520 TTRO1930608 On Site Notice

NB This is a MAJOR diversion due to road closure

MONDAY 24 JUNE 2019
for a maximum of 5 days
Anticipated Finish MONDAY 24 JUNE 2019
Between the hours of 09:30 and 13:30

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StAnn’s Chapel development gets go-ahead for 13 dwellings

May 22, 2019 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

Committee Decisions – May
At the Development Management Committee in May, councillors debated 6 applications. Here is the one for StAnn’s Chapel:-

4214/18/FUL
Address: Land at Holwell Farm, St Ann’s Chapel, TQ7 4AP

Proposal: Residential development to provide 13 dwellings with associated access, car parking, public open space and landscaping

Decision: Approved

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The Council Year Ahead

May 20, 2019 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

17/05/2019

The incoming new council at South Hams, reflects on the previous year and the challenges they now face.

Yesterday, Cllr Judy Pearce, the new Leader of South Hams District Council, presented the Council’s Annual report to the new Council. From the report, Cllr Pearce highlighted the many achievements from the last 12 months, including the new recycling, waste and cleansing contract, which will save the council £3 million.

She told the new Council, that they have also established an encouragingly positive relationship with the Homes and Communities Agency, which the new Council can build on over the coming years.

Cllr Judy Pearce, Leader of South Hams District Council said: “Members will appreciate that what is reported in the annual report took place under the last administration, and that it was written before the new Council has had an opportunity to set out the direction that the Council will take. However, there are some things that will remain unchanged and this gives us a good starting position.

“We know that while we have manged to set a balanced budget this year, we do have a forecast budget gap of £470,000 that will have to be filled. We managed to close the budget gap last year, but now we face the challenge again this year.

“We will continue to pursue the recommendations of the Peer Review, where we will continue to strive for a ‘right first time’ approach to customer service, and we also know that we want to work closer with our Town and Parish Councils; engaging, informing and listening to them on a more regular basis.”

Cllr Pearce concluded: “All this rests on running a lean and efficient Council, where finance, governance and good communications, both internal and external, are key. I am keen to foster better and more collaborative relationships between officers and Members at all levels.

“We are all trying to achieve the same goals, and if we all put our shoulder to the same wheel, it will undoubtedly turn more smoothly for the benefit of the whole District and our residents. I hope this will be reflected in next year’s annual report.”

The Annual report states that last year, the Council:

• Set a balanced budget of £8.83m

• Collected 2.7m tonnes of household waste

• Inspected 2,100 play parks

• Completed 2,433 planning applications

• Carried out 486 food inspections

• Awarded £253,000 in Community Grant Funding

• Supported 92 events

• Carried out 567 planning enforcement investigations

• Helped to deliver 69 affordable homes

• Picked up 53 fly tips

• Awarded £540,600 in Disabled Facilities Grants

• Collected 171 abandoned vehicles

• Prevented 520 households becoming homeless

The full Annual Report can be viewed here: https://www.southhams.gov.uk/article/5347/Council-Performance-and-Strategy

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South Hams Appoints New Leader

May 20, 2019 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

17/05/2019

A new four year term, a new sustainable era, a new Leader and a positive future to be built on the foundations of the Council’s transformation programme.

At their Annual Council meeting yesterday, South Hams District Council has appointed Cllr Judy Pearce as Leader of the Council.

In her acceptance speech, Cllr Pearce thanked Cllr John Tucker for his many years of dedication to the South Hams, and the foresight and courage he showed to take on the transformation programme and to see it through.

Cllr Pearce explained that while the Council is now much leaner and more efficient, there is still work to be done.

Leader of South Hams District Council, Cllr Judy Pearce said: “My priority as Leader will be to build on these sure foundations, so that everything the Council does is focused on wellbeing and prosperity of all of the residents and businesses in South Hams.

“We must welcome visitors and allow tourism to flourish, but at the same time take every care to preserve our historic buildings and landscapes, particularly the protected ones.”

During the meeting there was a lot of discussion about Climate Change, with a petition being presented to the Chairman and a number of members of the public being in attendance throughout.

It has been agreed that the Executive of South Hams District Council will consider an agenda item at its meeting on 6 June 2019 that will allow Members to give further consideration to the Climate Change programme.

During her speech, Cllr Pearce also declared that sustainability was key, she said: “We must make sure that nothing we do deliberately harms the environment by degrading or depleting natural resources.”

The Leader has also asked officers to prepare a plan to make all reasonable and rational carbon footprint savings within the way that the Council works and to offer all assistance possible to Devon County Council and their climate change agenda.

During the meeting, Cllr Bastone was appointed as Deputy Leader, Cllr Rosemary Rowe was appointed Chairman of the Council and Cllr Foss was appointed as Vice Chairman of the Council for the Council year 2019/20.

The Councillors appointed to the Executive are; Cllrs Baldry, Hawkins, Hopwood and May.

The political composition of the Council is now as follows: Three political groups: The Conservatives, with Cllr Pearce as their Leader; The Liberal Democrats with Cllr Baldry as their Leader and The Green Party with Cllr Hodgson as their Leader. There are also two non-aligned independent members.

Following the Annual meeting of the Council, further information about which councillors have been appointed to which committee will be available on the Council’s website:

https://www.southhams.gov.uk/article/761/Councillors-and-Committees

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