A scheme to help landlords improve energy efficiency for elderly tenants and tenants with very young children

The Press Release below has been copied from the Teignbridge District Council web site, and I also attach the link. I would urge any residents who think that their landlord may be eligible, or indeed landlord to contact TDC Housing and see if they qualify. It would be great to use the money set aside for this project, rather than have some left over.

If you are not a tenant etc. but know of someone or a family who might qualify, get them to check it out with TDC.

Thanks

http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15836

Tenants most likely to be in need of a helping hand might soon be benefitting from a council scheme to help keep homes warm and energy bills down.

Teignbridge District Council has launched a new £20k drive to encourage private landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties, offering funding up to £575 or 50% of the cost of work.  Measures included in the scheme include loft and cavity wall insulation, installing new 'A' rated gas condensing boilers and installing or replacing a central heating system.  In exceptional cases where no alternative is available, it may even pay towards installing night storage heaters.

To take part in the scheme, landlords must be completing work on an occupied property or one available for occupation.  Importantly, the assistance is only available where their tenant or subsequent tenant meets certain criteria that make them more likely to benefit from the financial benefits of an energy efficient home.  Tenants must be either in receipt of a means tested benefit, or aged 70 or over, or have a child less than six years old.

The scheme aims to reduce fuel poverty and make sure that those who need it most benefit from a warm home with more manageable energy bills; while for landlords it offers a cost-effective way to improve their property for the long term.

Cllr Philip Vogel, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Housing and Planning said:

'This scheme is part of a series of ongoing initiatives being promoted by Teignbridge District Council to assist in the improvement of residents' well being.

"Many of us take a warm home for granted, but in some cases residents are having to make the choice between keeping warm and putting food on the table. These can be difficult choices for both the elderly and those with very young children. This scheme is designed to help those residents in most need.

"We work with many private landlords across the district to promote good quality homes to let, and the vast majority are conscientious and mindful of their responsibilities to their tenants. This scheme is a means of acknowledging our partnership commitment by offering a more affordable way to improve their properties."

Cllr Kevin Lake, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Environmental Services added:

"This is great news for landlords and more vulnerable tenants, complementing our existing discount home insulation scheme for home owners and private tenants.

"Aside from lowering bills and making finances more manageable, this scheme will play an important role in helping our environment by keeping carbon emissions down.  I'd encourage all private landlords with qualifying tenants, or those planning to let to such tenants, to make the most of this scheme while the offers are available."

Applications will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis, with a total funding pot of £20k available.  The maximum grant assistance will be up to £575 per property or 50% of the cost of the works, whichever is the lower, to include:

• £175 towards loft insulation and/or cavity wall insulation.
• £400 towards the installation of a new/replacement 'A' rated gas condensing boiler
• £400 towards the installation of a new central heating system or a new/replacement boiler.

The scheme does not cover work which has already been completed prior to applying, and applications must be made by private landlords rather than tenants.  Any landlord wishing to apply or find out more can visit www.teignbridge.gov.uk/Schemes, emailhousing@teignbridge.gov.uk, or call 01626 215764.  Applications are being welcomed now, and the scheme will keep running until funding has been used up.

ENDS

Reality Check

This press release from Teignbridge District Council will resinate with many local residents:

New Guide Helps Local People Get To Grips With District Plans (published 27.01.12)

Local people now have an even easier way to get to grips with long term plans for the Teignbridge area thanks to a new quick-guide published this week.

Plan Teignbridge is Teignbridge District Council's 20-year draft plan for the area, setting out how jobs, town centres, schools, healthcare facilities, green spaces, homes and more will be provided to meet local needs in years to come.

Aside from identifying places where workplaces, facilities and homes might go, it will help achieve many tangible outcomes affecting the everyday lives of people in the area, for example by aiming to provide enough jobs to match the number of working age people in Teignbridge.

This week the new Plan Teignbridge overview was published online atwww.teignbridge.gov.uk/planteignbridge summarising the real-life benefits of the plan for people in the district.  Copies of the new guide will be available at public drop-ins and in all places where hard copies of the plan are available, including information centres, libraries, council offices and leisure centres.

Among those affected by the plan are many ordinary working families.  Families of all shapes and sizes make up about 35% (16,500) of Teignbridge's household population. Among them are fire fighter Dan Taylor, 27, and trainee child-health nurse Faye Drinkwater, 23.  The couple have a shared-ownership property in Teignmouth, found after great difficulty getting on the housing ladder.  Dan works out of Truro as it was the nearest place he could find a suitable job in his service, forcing him to rent a shared bedsit to reduce expensive and time consuming commuting and be available when on-call.  Back in Teignmouth he volunteers as a retained fire fighter, doing his bit for the local community.  Faye is studying in Plymouth meaning she needs to be within reach of the university. Part of Faye's studying includes traveling to Torbay and Exeter for practical placements.

It took the couple two and a half years to find the right home at an affordable price, and this week they spoke about the challenge facing working families and couples.

Dan Taylor said:

"The fact is we all live in a really nice, but really expensive area.  There aren't always local jobs around, money is tight everywhere anyway, and the banks won't help with mortgages without a huge deposit.  Five or 10 per cent might not sound all that much to older, better off people who bought their homes a while ago, but to a young working couple with public sector jobs and many bills to pay it's just not possible.

"Faye and I were really lucky to eventually get our place in Teignmouth, but there are thousands of people on housing waiting lists and lots of people looking for schemes like shared ownership as well.

"I think it's a good thing that the council is thinking about the long term and are trying to make more homes available locally, and as well as giving more people a crack at lower-cost homes.

"It's a big issue, but I know first-hand what it's like to try and get a decent home which you can afford, and it's not much fun.  The more that is done to create more jobs, stops people having to commute huge distances and helps working families in to homes the better."

Cllr Philip Vogel, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Housing and Planning said:

"We're doing a lot to help make affordable homes available and encourage more local employment, and looking forwards Plan Teignbridge will be vital in this.  It's about planning for change rather than letting change be forced on us, while remembering the real people and the real affect had by the plan we make - or worse, don't make.

"Working families are one of these big groups who we think will benefit from Plan Teignbridge, and Dan and Faye's story is a great reminder of why we're doing this work and who we're doing it for.  Of course that includes all Teignbridge residents, and our new guide looks at all sorts of social groups and how the suggestions in Plan Teignbridge affect them.

"We're hoping the guide will help more people get to grips with the big picture of Teignbridge's future, helping us have better conversations with them as we continue to seek local views on the plan."

What sort of challenges are working families currently facing?

· High house prices and the limited availability of larger houses

· There aren't enough jobs to suit all skill levels and working patterns

· Many need safe places for children to play and safe routes to be able to walk to school

· Along with many other people, they need accessible leisure and community facilities like schools, doctors and community buildings

· They want better quality town centres and retail

Plan Teignbridge tries to help ordinary working families by...

· Making provision for more homes of all types, mostly in the towns. It makes sure that developments have proper facilities like schools, doctors and shops needed to support them. This will be particularly good for families who need convenient access to facilities to fit in with their busy lives

· Making sure that new development will be supported by a good range of footpaths, cycleways and green spaces. This is great for families as it will provide safer routes for children to get to school and outdoor spaces to play

· Ensuring that there will be more affordable housing. This means young people still living at home with parents will have more chance of being able to afford a home of their own

· Giving families access to different sorts of jobs. The ideas in the Plan will mean that there is space for new businesses and for existing businesses to grow.  This should mean that more jobs, at all skill levels, become available, a range of full and part-time jobs should be created, and local people will be able to work closer to home, which will save them time and money

· Making shopping and leisure even better.  Whilst most people enjoy shopping in the big cities from time to time, local families want to be able to get everyday shopping easily and have access to leisure facilities.  Plan Teignbridge contains ideas for town centre developments in urban areas that have mostly been suggested by the people who live in those towns. Adopting Plan Teignbridge means that these ideas can come to life

· Putting in place really strong protection for nature. That means that there will still be really easy access for families to enjoy the countryside together.

More on Plan Teignbridge and how it helps various groups is available online now atwww.teignbridge.gov.uk/planteignbridge.  At this website people can also view the complete plan, find local drop-in events and give their views on the plan.  Copies of the new guide will be available at public drop-ins and in all places where hard copies of the plan are available, including information centres, libraries, council offices and leisure centres.  People can also join the conversation online at www.facebook.com/planteignbridge or on Twitter @PlanTeignbridge, #planteignbridge.

ENDS

New Signatures for Old

In the next few days Teignbridge District Council will be sending ‘refresh notices’ to around 5,500 absent voters whose personal identifiers (their signature and date of birth) were submitted before 31 January 2007.

And the definition for Absent voters; are people who vote by post or proxy....

.....and Teignbridge has nearly 17,000 in total.

Makes you think.

Sunday in Cornwall

Just to lighten the Blog, thought both regular and irregular readers might like to see a couple of photographs of Cornwall.

Tall ships in Charlestown Harbour, and the tide coming in on Porth Beach. Enjoy:)

NEW GUIDE TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS OFFERS FREE FUN FOR 2012

Teignbridge have just issued an interesting Press release

NEW GUIDE TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS OFFERS FREE FUN FOR 2012

A new guide from Teignbridge Council is set to get people enjoying the great outdoors this year, with over 90 events scheduled at 17 of the council’s managed wildlife sites.

From guided walks to bug hunting to bird watching, the new ‘Green Spaces Events Guide’ from Teignbridge Council has something to entice everyone outside in 2012.

This year’s Guide is jam packed with more than 90 ideas for expeditions, walks, talks and volunteer activities suitable for all ages throughout the year. The majority of these are free and charged activities cost no more than £4.  Events range from nature walks and woodwork crafts to rewarding voluntary work such as coppice clearing and hay raking, all designed to protect and enhance the district’s natural environment. 

Each event is led by a professional Teignbridge Ranger so no-one needs to be a wildlife expert to take part – and the programme includes a number of activities specially designed for young people, for all the family or just adults to enjoy.

Teignbridge’s green spaces include national nature reserves, formal parks and gardens, meadows, woods, heaths, marshes and sand dunes.  Many of these sites are within walking distance of local communities, are open all year, and are free for everyone to enjoy.

For an illustrated brochure click on the link below:

http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15797

Plan Teignbridge 2013 - 2033 reviewing the Evidence

Teignbridge District Council is taking steps to reassure local people about the evidence used in its 20 year plan for the district by re-employing independent experts to review evidence about the number of people likely to be moving in to Teignbridge in the future.

Demographic experts ORS were commissioned by seven local authorities to produce a report in 2007 which Teignbridge had updated in 2010, predicting how the population and demographic make-up of many south west areas are likely to change in the next two decades.  Its evidence has been used by Exeter City Council, Mid Devon District Council and Dartmoor National Park, among others, in preparing successful plans for their areas.

It was on the basis of this evidence, which also looked at other factors which create need for homes - like children moving out or couples breaking up - that the council planned the number of new homes likely to be needed.  This is currently predicted to be around 15,000 over 20 years, including 3000 which already have planning permission and 12,000 new builds.

It all forms part of Plan Teignbridge, the council’s name for a technical planning document also known as the Draft Preferred Options Core Strategy.  It aims to enable a job for every working age resident, protect the Teignbridge countryside and make more homes affordable to younger people and ordinary working families.

Cllr Phil Vogel, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Planning and Housing said:

“We know that Plan Teignbridge is going to deliver great benefits for local people. There will be more jobs, better facilities, more public transport, cycleways and strong protections for villages and the countryside.

“I know some people have focused on housing numbers, and we are taking this step to help reassure everyone that they are completely up to date and reflect the current economic outlook. At the same time we don’t want local people to lose sight of the many benefits the plan brings.  Key among these is new employment, making it possible for families to stay together in this area rather than having to move away to find a better paid job.  It also puts in place really good environmental protection and will help us set clear planning rules which protect us from things going in the wrong places on appeal.

“As we’re currently consulting the public and asking for suggestions, now’s the perfect time to do this complementary piece of work.”

The Council has also set up an internal Review Group of councillors who will monitor progress of the review and scrutinise housing figures.  Their work will be supported by independent experts, giving them an informed, independent and expert insight in to the plan.

Anyone wanting to find out more or have their say take part in the online Plan Teignbridge consultation at www.teignbridge.gov.uk/planteignbridge.  Hard copies of the plan are available in libraries, information centres, council offices and leisure centres, and the council will soon be starting a range of drop-in events for people living around the district.  Dates and locations are available online atwww.teignbridge.gov.uk/planteignbridge and posters are displayed where hard copies of the plan are available.

Mobile Library helps Draft Core Strategy reach out

To widen the area of consultation and enable more residents in rural parishes to participate in the process, TDC have teamed up with Devon County Council Library Service to bring the consultation to rural communities.

I list below the Teignbridge District Council web link:
http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15781

Ashburton and Buckfastleigh December 2011 Police Reports

I reproduce  two reports from your local Policing Neighbourhood Team for the last month (December 2011).

'We would also like to draw your attention to the Devon and Cornwall Neighbourhood Policing Website.  Once in the site you can use the search facility to ‘Find my Neighbourhood’ where you will be able to view the Policing Priorities for your area.  These Priorities have been developed through regular consultation with our communities.

This site will also show what steps we are taking to address these priorities, as well advertising the monthly meetings or surgeries that we hold in your area.   These meetings provide an opportunity for members of the community to come along and meet the local team and raise any issues that directly affect them.  The outcomes of these meetings also help set the Priorities.

Please feel free to provide feedback to us in relation to the attached report, or let us know whether you wish to continue to receive these reports.  Please contact us via our Neighbourhood Email account –Teignbridge@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

Neighbourhood Police Sergeant 5440  Ian Stevens
Teignbridge West
Devon BCU'

'ASHBURTON NEIGHBOURHOOD REPORT -  DECEMBER 2011

Over the last month we have had 78 incidents reported from Ashburton.  18 of these concerned the A38 and a further 12 were traffic related incidents in the town itself. One of these incidents involved a taxi crashing on Western Road in the early hours on 29th December whilst another related to flooding in Kingsbridge Lane on 12th December. We also received reports of obstructions on North Street following inconsiderate parking.

Throughout the month we only received 2 reports of anti-social behaviour in and around the town.

14 crimes were reported. They include 3 offences of theft, 1 of which related to the theft of lead from St Andrews church roof on 1st December.  4 offences of assault were reported to us, 1 of which occurred on Christmas Eve in the town centre.  We have had only 1 burglary reported to us which was to a licensed premises in the town, but no property was stolen..

From Bickington we received 6 incident reports. 3 of these related to the A383 which were reports of a herd of cows on the road, a diesel spill and surface water making driving dangerous on December 17th.

1 crime was reported and a disqualified driver arrested at Goodstone on 2nd December.

From Widecombe we received 2 incidents reports and 1 crime.  The crime related to the theft of over 50 christmas trees from Lower Cator on 9th December.  I of the incidents related to a suspicious situation whereby a group of males were seen to be trying to herd a flock of sheep into a vehicle.  Further enquiries established that no sheep appear to have been stolen and the owners of the vehicle have been spoken to.  This is a very real issue for farmers and is often one that is hard to detect.  If you see anything that you feel suspicious please call us, ensuring that you make a note of all vehicle registrations and exact locations of the incident when it is happening.  This will give us the best chance to try and respond quickly.

No incidents were reported to us from Buckland and Woodland and both areas remained crime free.

Our Christmas and New Year patrols were quiet, which was reassuring and it was noticeable that many of the pubs across the area appeared to be less busy that in the past.

Over the coming month we will be carrying out some community consultation events which we will use to set our policing priorities for the coming few months.  If you see any of the team out and about please speak to them as your comments and concerns will have an impact on where we direct our resources.  Please also contact us on the email address shown below or come along to one of the Police Surgeries.

Please report any suspicious activity or behaviour at the time on the new non-emergency telephone number of 101 – or use 999 in an emergency situation, ie if a crime is being committed.

My next Police surgery at the Ashburton Information Centre is from 10-11am on Wednesday 25th January.

I can be contacted at Ashburton Police Station via the Central no. 101 or via e-mail – Teignbridge@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Alternatively the totally confidential Crimestoppers no.0800 555111 can be used to pass information to the Police.

PC 4486 Dudley'

'Buckfastleigh Neighbourhood report – December 2011


Over the past month there have been 34 incidents reported to us from Buckfastleigh. Of these 15 incidents related to individuals suffering from mental health issues who either had gone missing from addresses or where there were other welfare concerns that needed Police intervention.  We work very closely with other agencies in relation to such issues, making referrals to them so that they can then organise support for such individuals in the community. As a result of these calls three people have been referred to other agencies and ongoing support is being provided.  It must be stressed that none of these individuals posed a threat to the community.

We have had 10 crimes reported to us over the last month from the town which include 3 assault allegations, 1 incidence of being drunk and disorderly, 1 report of criminal damage, 2 theft complaints, 2 for drug possessions.  Officers also had to deal with a naked man on Fore Street, which was interesting,  who was initially detained for an offence of ‘exposure’ but was then passed into the care of one of the medical agencies who were more suitable for his needs.

During the month a drug warrant was carried out at an address in Buckfast where a female was found in possession of cannabis and a male was arrested after assaulting a police officer.
Locally officers have made various arrests which include a male for assaulting two people and then being found in possession of cannabis after a report of a domestic incident, and a male for being drunk and disorderly.

2 crimes were reported to us from the Dean Prior area.   A police unit from Ivybridge stopped a vehicle on the A38 at Dean Prior which when searched was found on contain batteries that had been stolen from traffic signs used on the carriageway.  Further searches of the 2 occupants found them in possession of controlled substances so they were arrested and have been dealt with for these offences.9 incidents were reported to us from Dean Prior, 7 of which related to traffic and the A38.

From the West Buckfastleigh area we have had no crimes reported to us. There were also no incidents reported.

From Holne we have had 1 crime reported to us. This related to a theft from a motor vehicle where a window was smashed and property that had been left on display in footwell stolen.  There were no incidents reported to us.

Our Christmas and New Year patrols in the Town passed off with no issues, which was re-assuring.  Across the area it was noticeable that the numbers of people out and about around the pubs was quieter that had been experienced in the past.  This may be a sign of the times.

Over the next month we will be carrying out community surveying to establish new community priorities that can be used to direct  local policing.  We hope to have completed this by the time the next newsletter goes out so we will update you further then.

We can still be contacted via the central switchboard no. 101 or via e-mail – Teignbridge@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

PC 4939 Alison HOOPER,  PCSO Jonathan BOX'

Executive Minutes 10th January 2012

As the Executive Member for Housing and Planning (aka Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning), I sit on the Executive Committee of Teignbridge District Council. This Committee meets every four weeks and takes the major strategic decisions of the Council. So below are the Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 10th January 2012, which should be of interest to all residents of the District.

You may well ask 'what has that got to do with me?' reasonable comment. These Minutes are about keeping the Teignbridge portion of the Community Charge based on the average Band D figure the same in 2012-2013 as this year, plus a lot more.

Enjoy the read:

http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=32299&p=0

War Horse the South West Premiere

Wow.

Thank you to all of you generous cinema goers, Steven Speilberg, Disney, Dreamworks, Apollo Cinemas, the radio, TV and press, and not forgetting the hard working Rotarians; with apologies to any individual or organisation I have forgotten but who enabled the night to be a success.

The Rotary Club of Ashburton Buckfastleigh raised approximately £7800 with the the three nominated charities for the performances being: Help the Heroes, The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund and Michael Morpurgo's charity Farms for City Children.

Thank you

Treston House, Dawlish

Last Wednesday saw the official opening of 13 affordable homes at the Treston House site in Dawlish, provided by one of Teignbridge District Council's preferred partners Westcountry Housing.
These homes are due to be occupied from today.

Over this year I would expect approximately 93 affordable houses to be completed within Teignbridge.

DNPA Development Management Document approved for consultation

On Friday 6th January Members of the Dartmoor National Park Authority at the Authority's monthly meeting agreed to put out to consultation the Development management Document.

Ashburton residents who participated in the 19th November consultation, or made submissions regarding the proposed developments and car parking - will be glad to know that it has been agreed to prepare a MasterPlan for Ashburton. Presumably more about this at a later.

Also agreed, and I think vital, that an Affordable Supplementary Housing Document be prepared. This I hope will address the local criteria and meaning of 'rural' in the DMD as it effect Ashburton and Buckfastleigh. Again more about this at a later date.

Core Strategy Consultation Begins Today Monday 9th January

The Teignbridge District Council Preferred Options Core Strategy begins today, and lasts until 2nd March.

Look at the overview, consider the local view, and the needs of the greater Teignbridge community, and your local community.

Have your say in a number of innovative and interactive ways!

http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15096

Haldon Traveller Site

Teignbridge District Council together with its partner Teign Housing has been successful in being awarded £1.15M grant by the homes and Communities Agency, for a plan to regularise the Haldon travellers site, and provide 15 pitches and associated benefits. This is dependant on Planning Consent being granted, as well as goodwill, understanding and balanced proportional approach being adopted by all interested individuals and groups. It is a unique opportunity.

Details of the TDC Press Release can be found at:

http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15398

Apps and downloads

Just a little thought recovered from the airwaves, that over the Christmas week 1.7 billion apps were down loaded to various electronic devices world wide.

Makes you wonder - although I particularly like the Q R scanner app.

Myths and Truths about Housing in Teignbridge

A personal thought or two on Myths and Truths about housing in Teignbridge:

Myth	Truth
There’s enough affordable housing, why do we need more?	Only 9% of Teignbridge’s housing stock is affordable compared to the average of 18%. We need more affordable homes for our children, grandchildren and key-workers to live and work in Teignbridge.
Why don’t you do something about all the empty homes?	Teignbridge has worked hard to reduce the number of empty homes, qualifying under the New Homes Bonus, to 390 unoccupied/unfurnished homes 6 months or longer, as at 1st December 2011.
What’s the Council doing to help build houses in rural communities?	Teignbridge has introduced two new policies to help rural communities. One seeks to enable the development of expensive Exception sites with a small number of open market houses, the other to encourage Self-Build on Exception sites.

TDC Preferred Options Draft Core Strategy consultation 2012 :)

Happy New Year 2012 to all regular and irregular readers of this Blog.

The Teignbridge District Council Preferred Options Draft Core Strategy Consultation is finally here - to be exact from Monday 9th January to Friday 2nd March. Follow the link below to see how you and your community can become involved.

--But before everyone rushes to a specific settlement section, may I respectfully suggest that the document is read in its entirety, as it has been amended since first drafted :)

http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15385