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Posts tagged South Hams
Council Listens to Public and Adapts Motorhome Plans
Issued: 25 May 2021
South Hams District Council has adapted their proposed plans after listening to over 700 responses received in the Motorhome consultation, which closed on Thursday 20 May.
The public consultation on a 12-month pilot scheme allowing self-contained motorhomes and campervans, with their own toilet facilities, to stay at some South Hams car parks has been largely met with support.
After listening to public concerns about four of the proposed locations it has been decided that North Sands in Salcombe, Memorial in Slapton and Torcross Tank in Torcross and Quay Car Park in Kingsbridge will no longer be considered for the pilot scheme. The suggested £15 tariff has now been removed along with these sites.
The results of the public consultation and a report recommending a single overnight tariff of £10, and the revised recommended sites, will now be discussed at the District Council’s Executive Committee on Thursday 27 May.
The pilot has been designed to help improve local tourism. There are ever-increasing numbers of motorhomes and campervan users opting to use car parks and other locations for overnight stays in the South Hams, and this is anticipated to increase as a result of restrictions on overseas travel due to the pandemic.
The Council recommend stays would be at the named car parks for self-contained motorhomes and campervans only for an overnight fee of £10 per night, overnight from 6 p.m. until 9 a.m. The proposed pilot will allow overnight sleeping for a maximum two-night consecutive stay with no return within 48 hours.
The following five car parks in these towns across the District are proposed to be included in the pilot scheme:
· Ivybridge, Leonards Car Park
· Kingsbridge, Cattlemarket Car Park
· Modbury, Poundwell Meadow Overflow Car Park
· Totnes, Longmarsh Car Park
· Dartmouth, Park & Ride Car Park
Cllr Keith Baldry, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “We want to do everything we can to support our businesses to get back on their feet by encouraging tourism to the South Hams. By making it easier for motorhome owners to visit our District and to bring their money to spend in our shops, restaurants, pubs and leisure attractions, it is a step in the right direction in helping us build up our local economy and supporting our local families and communities.
“Therefore, we are delighted that so many residents have taken the time and effort to share their thoughts on this pilot scheme. We have read their comments and have listened carefully to what they have to say and in light of their thoughts; we removed four of our nine proposed sites from our considerations, leaving us with five locations to take to our Executive meeting on Thursday.
“This pilot scheme is aimed at self-contained motorhomes which have their own on board toilet facilities for short two-night stays in our car parks. To further address respondents’ concerns, if this proposal is agreed, we propose to have regular patrols by our Localities and Car Park teams who would visit sites, during peak times, to make sure sites remain clean and tidy so that locals and visitors can all appreciate the facilities.”
Read more from the report to the Executive Committee here: www.southhams.gov.uk/Executive
If you are interested in finding out more about this decision, you can watch the meeting live on the Council’s YouTube Channel here: www.youtube.com/user/SouthHamsCouncil
The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday 27 May.
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FCC Environment issues a service update and apologises to the residents of South Hams
Please find below a service update on the current situation with South Hams’ waste and recycling service from FCC Environment.
On 1st April 2019, FCC Environment began providing all waste, recycling collection and street and toilet cleaning services on behalf of South Hams District Council extending the company’s existing contract with West Devon Borough Council to deliver a range of benefits to residents in both communities.
The waste and recycling service in West Devon, which mirrors the system rolled out in South Hams, has been successfully operating for over 10 years and residents have responded well. The new recycling vehicles now in use in South Hams have been in use in West Devon since March 2018.
The new recycling system which is currently being introduced in South Hams is considered ‘best in class’ by many other local authorities in England, has been carefully designed to maximise the amount of materials collected for recycling. The system also delivers improved quality recyclate which means the materials will go on to be recycled into new products.
Behind the scenes this system has been far from easy to implement in South Hams and FCC acknowledge that there have been service issues for some residents for which we apologise. These teething problems have resulted in some residents experiencing missed collections and we are truly sorry for any inconvenience and difficulties this has caused and continues to cause as we work with the council to rectify.
It should also be noted that the system was designed on the basis of recycling vehicles filling up once a day and being emptied at the end of the working day but due to the home working implications of lock downs through 2020-21 and residents saving recycling for the new system to launch, the vehicles can fill up, up to 2 to 3 times a day, so they need to travel back to the depot and unload each time but we are making our way through the implications of such increased volumes.
We are working hard to collect from residents that have been missed and to collect from the harder to reach properties on our rounds and we are getting there but we would ask residents, particularly those who have had repeated missed collections, to bear with us at this time.
We have been questioned about the vehicles being too large for some areas; the vehicles selected to deliver this service are state of the art recycling vehicles and they are sized to maximise the collection of recycling across the District. We do ask residents to follow council advice to place their recycling bins and boxes in the right places for collection. We appreciate for some that this may mean changes to the way their recycling has been collected previously but we ask for your support on this.
We are asking residents to bear with us in the coming weeks while these multi-faceted issues with this complex recycling scheme are ironed out and we remain confident that, once these hurdles have been overcome, that the service we have been contracted to deliver across South Hams and West Devon will deliver all of the benefits promised at the outset.
– FCC Environment
Issued 28 May 2021
Make sure you’re ready to have your say on 6 May
20 April 2021
With a couple of weeks left until voters in the South Hams go to the polls on 6 May, South Hams District Council is urging voters to get ready to vote.
Across the South Hams the public will be taking to the polls to vote for a Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall as well as to elect one Councillor to Devon County Council for each of the seven South Hams County divisions.
In addition, there is:
A District Council By-Election in the Ivybridge West Ward
Neighbourhood Plan Referendums for:
Aveton Gifford
South Huish
Strete
Kingswear
Kingston
You can find details on nominations and polling stations by following this link: https://southhams.gov.uk/article/7824/Notices-of-Poll-and-Situations-of-Polling-Stations
Polling stations will be safe places to vote on 6 May. People voting in person are encouraged to keep themselves and others safe by:
wearing a face covering
bringing their own pen or pencil
cleaning their hands when entering and leaving the polling station
keeping a safe distance
Voters should not attend the polling station if they have symptoms of Covid-19, or if they have been asked to self-isolate. Anyone who develops symptoms, or is asked to self-isolate shortly before polling day, has up to 5pm on polling day to apply for an emergency proxy vote. This allows them to nominate someone they trust to vote on their behalf.
Andy Bates, Electoral Registration Officer for the South Hams said:
“Your poll card will tell you where to find your polling station. Make sure you check the information on your polling card, as your polling station might have changed since the last elections. You do not need your poll card to vote, however, we encourage you to bring it with you to make the process quicker and more efficient.
“Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 6 May. Voters who have opted to vote by post must return their postal ballot pack by 10pm; they can hand it in at their polling station if they don’t have time to return it by post.”
Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission, said:
“If you are voting in person, make sure you remember to bring your face covering and a pen or pencil with you. At the polling station, help keep yourself and others safe by following the safety measures, including sanitising your hands and keeping a safe distance from others.
“If you are self-isolating or become unwell as a result of Covid-19, you don’t need to lose your vote. You will be able to apply for an emergency proxy vote so that someone you trust can vote on your behalf.”
For further information on how to apply for an emergency proxy, voters should contact the electoral registration team at South Hams District Council at elections@southhams.gov.uk
For further information on elections in their area, voters can visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter. This page will continue to be updated ahead of the polls.
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FUSION SPORTS CENTRES FULLY OPEN FROM APRIL 12th
See link for details :- FUSION- Devon and South Hams_April 12 reopenings
Continental-style Al Fresco Culture Coming To Our Towns this Summer
6 April 2021
South Hams District and West Devon Borough Councils invite local hospitality businesses to apply for outdoor seating licences so they can start trading as quickly as possible.
The current Government guidance states that hospitality businesses can use outdoor seating areas to re-open no earlier than 12 April 2021.
South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council know that many local businesses do not have their own space to be able to re-open under these social distancing guidelines.
To help get our hospitality businesses back up and running as quickly as possible and to give them a boost this summer, they can now apply for a temporary licence to use nearby Council-owned land or the pavement.
Businesses have two different routes to apply.
To find out more about using land that is considered the adopted highway, (such as the pavement, an adopted road or footpath), follow this link:
South Hams: www.southhams.gov.uk/pavementlicence
West Devon: www.westdevon.gov.uk/pavementlicence
To find out about using Council-owned land, (such as market places etc.), that is not considered the adopted highway, follow this link:
South Hams: www.southhams.gov.uk/useourland
West Devon: www.westdevon.gov.uk/useourland
Last year, many businesses took the opportunity to set up tables and chairs on council-owned land or pavements so they could safely serve customers. This included The Kings Arms, using Whitestrand in Salcombe, The Bull Inn, using The Rotherfold in Totnes, and Taylors Restaurant, using Bank Square in Tavistock.
The application process is straightforward and the Councils aim to determine them within 10 working days for pavement licences or five working days for applications to use Council-owned land. The licences for using Council-owned land will run until 31 October 2021 inclusive. Pavement licences will run until 30 September 2021. Both will be offered for one season only as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the responsibility of the business to comply with the requirements of the licences, which includes time limits and disposing of litter correctly.
The scheme is intended to help local hospitality businesses with existing business premises. It is not intended for new or mobile businesses. Where there is more demand for outside seating than space available, adjacent businesses will be given priority.
To find potential locations for outdoor seating in towns across the South Hams, and to apply: https://southhams.gov.uk/article/7040/South-Hams-Available-Land
To find potential locations for outdoor seating in towns across West Devon, and to apply: https://westdevon.gov.uk/article/7041/West-Devon-Available-Land
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Up To £18k Restart Grants Give South Hams and West Devon Businesses A Boost
Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk
Issued: 7 April 2021
From beauty salons and book shops to campsites and village halls, many local businesses could get a cash boost of up to £18,000. South Hams District and West Devon Borough Councils open applications for the Government’s new Restart Grant on 8 April to give practical financial support as our high streets prepare to reopen safely.
The Government’s Restart Grant is a one-off payment for businesses that mainly offer in-person services to the general public and have been impacted by lockdown closures. It is available in two strands.
Non-essential retail businesses, such as gift stores or florists, are in Strand One and could receive a one-off grant up to £6,000 to help them to reopen safely from April 12 2021.
Hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses, covering everything from animal groomers to pubs and B&Bs, are covered by Strand Two. These business could receive up to £18,000 as they may open later under the plans laid out in the Government’s roadmap or may be more restricted.
How much is the grant worth?
The amount eligible businesses will receive depends on their rateable value.
For non-essential retail businesses, the following thresholds apply:
Businesses with a rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £2,667.
Businesses with a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £4,000.
Businesses with a rateable value of exactly £51,000 or over on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £6,000.
For hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gyms, the following thresholds apply:
Businesses with a rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £8,000.
Businesses with a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £12,000.
Businesses with a rateable value of exactly £51,000 or over on 1 April 2021 will receive a payment of £18,000.
Who is eligible?
To qualify for a grant, your business must:
Be registered for Business Rates and have premises on the Council’s rating list on 1 April 2021
Be trading on 1 April 2021 (carrying on a trade or profession, or buying and selling goods or services in order to generate turnover)
Not be in liquidation, dissolved, struck off or subject to a striking-off notice.
How to apply
To apply, go to the Councils’ websites to fill in a simple form:
In the South Hams: www.southhams.gov.uk/businesscovid19
In West Devon: www.westdevon.gov.uk/covid19business
To keep the process quick and easy for you, and to make sure you are paid the grant as soon as possible, please have the following information ready to share, including:
Your original application number; this is your five digit reference number beginning RP/*****
Number of employees
A short description of your current business activity
Your business type and the main service you provide
The date your business was established
Your Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code – you can find this on the ONS website: https://onsdigital.github.io/dp-classification-tools/standard-industrial-classification/ONS_SIC_hierarchy_view.html
Your contact and bank details, including a copy of your most recent bank statement as proof of trading
When will the payment be made?
Grants will be paid direct to the account registered. If all the correct information is submitted, the team aim to make payments within three weeks of the initial application.
Please be aware that the Restart Grant is taxable income and will need to be included in the tax return of your business.
The Restart Grant replaces the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) and is being paid alongside ongoing ARG grants. If your business is not eligible for a Restart Grant, please complete the updated ARG Grant form which is available from 8 April 2021 here:
South Hams: www.southhams.gov.uk/article/7387/Additional-Restrictions-Grant
West Devon: www.westdevon.gov.uk/article/7387/Additional-Restrictions-Grant
To stay up-to-date on business news and information, please sign up for the Councils’ newsletter at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKSWDEVON/subscriber/new
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How to Swim Safely This Holiday Season in the South Hams
29 March 2021
Safe swimming at Salcombe, and around South Hams beaches, is a key message for South Hams District Council, as the busy holiday season gets underway.
Most people enjoy having a dip in the sea, especially when the weather start to warm up and the water laps invitingly against the shoreline. This holiday period, South Hams District Council is urging all swimmers, whether weekend bathers, or intrepid wild sea swimmers, to be safe and visible when swimming.
The majority of swimmers stay on lifeguarded beaches, between red and yellow flags, but where do you swim when there aren’t lifeguards nearby?
The Salcombe Harbour Master urges swimmers to swim where boats are expecting you to be, and never, ever, in the boating channels. This means, you cannot swim across the estuary, from one side to the other. He stresses that it is exceptionally dangerous and you are endangering your life and that of other people by doing so.
To those swimming in the River Avon, particularly between Aveton Gifford and Bantham, the Council ask you to take extra care to be seen. Swimmers often do not realise how very difficult they are to spot from a boat, and it can be really dangerous when there are a lot of craft out on the river.
Wherever residents and visitors may be swimming around the South Hams this holiday season, please take care, as tourist destinations are likely to be extra busy. To try and keep everyone safe, here are some simple precautions when using the District’s bathing waters.
Enter cold water slowly so you have time to adapt to the temperature properly before swimming.
If you are going to be swimming or using paddleboards or floatation devices, make sure you check the weather and tide times carefully.
Make sure someone knows whereabouts you are swimming and always take a phone in a waterproof phone pouch; it could save your life if you get into difficulties.
For any swimmers, but especially for wild sea swimmers, wear a brightly coloured hat and use a tow float for greater visibility.
Swimmers are at very great risk from boats and jet skis if swimming in open water without any visibility aids. Rather than swimming alone, enthusiasts might be interested in the many organised swim groups within local communities.
A South Hams District Council spokesperson, said: “It’s so important to be safe in the water when swimming or using watercrafts. The water is always very popular with families and we urge you to keep a very careful eye on your children and please leave any inflatables at home.
“The sea holds such great appeal to a wide number of users, not just swimmers, but also increasing numbers of paddle boarders along with surfers, canoers, kite surfers and boaters. We ask everyone to take extra care in the water, use the correct equipment and prepare carefully for the sea conditions. Simple things like taking your phone with you in a waterproof pouch in case you get into difficulties are so easy to do, but could actually save your life.
“It’s going to be an exceptionally busy season with lots of people staying in this country, with limitations on overseas travels, which is bound to have an impact on our District. We’re certainly going to be respecting the water and doing our bit to protect the emergency services who are going to be hugely stretched with the extra visitors, so let us do what we can to be sensible and not put undue pressure on them. We’re looking forward to a wonderful and welcome end to a very difficult year.
“Finally, please beware of rip tides. If you get into difficulties and find yourself pulled out to sea, try and relax as much as you possibly can. Fighting against the currents will tire you out very quickly. When you are no longer being pulled out to sea, if you can stand, wade back towards the shore. If you cannot stand, then swim parallel to the shore, until you can swim back to safety. By raising your hand and shouting for help, you can quickly raise the alarm.
“If you are on the shore and see someone in difficulties, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”
Rob Stuteley, RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for South Hams said:
“There are well-documented physical and mental health benefits of swimming in the sea, but it can also be very dangerous if you are unaware or under-prepared.
“There are a number of things to help ensure you have an enjoyable and safe time in the water such as not swimming alone, staying in your depth and knowing how to warm up properly afterwards, which sounds obvious but is crucial to avoid any delayed effects of the cold.
“We would also always recommend checking with your doctor before trying it for the first time, especially if you have underlying health issues.
“If in any doubt, stay out of the water. If you or anyone else does get into trouble in or on the water please call 999 or 112 immediately and ask for the Coastguard.”
The RNLI’s key safety advice for taking a dip is:
Never swim alone – always go with someone else to a familiar spot
Always check the weather forecast, including tide information and wave height
If in doubt, stay out – there is always another day to go for a swim
Take plenty of warm clothes for before and after your dip, along with a hot drink to help you warm up again when you come out of the water
Wearing a wetsuit will help increase your buoyancy and reduce the chances of suffering cold water shock
Be seen – wear a brightly coloured swim cap and consider using a tow float
Acclimatise to the water temperature slowly – never jump straight in
Stay in your depth and know your limits
If you get into trouble remember FLOAT to live by leaning back in the water, extending your arms and legs, and resisting the urge to thrash around to gain control of your breathing
Take a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch
If you or someone else is in trouble call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard
You can find more information on beach safety and how to enjoy cold water swimming at the RNLI website here:
https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety
https://rnli.org/magazine/magazine-featured-list/2020/october/get-into-open-water-swimming
– ENDS
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