#Rotary #ReDistricting

If dear reader you don't understand the title of this Blog, then you are in good company, because I do not either.

Having said that, there may well be Rotarians out there beyond Blog Land who know exactly what it means and the law of unintentional consequences that may well arise from this process. The loss of more members.

Having returned from District 1170 District Council, I am still none the wiser as to what this idea of redistricting is designed to achieve - especially when as I understand there is at least one motion before the forthcoming Council of Legislation that talks about first class travel for life.....

If I have understood the process, Rotary is expanding in some parts of the world and contracting in others, and this has led to an idea regarding rationalisation of districts so that the golden number of 532 Districts world wide - the number currently - remains for financial reasons.

So in the RIBI area there is a proposal to reduce the number of districts from 29 to 22 (sorry if figures, indeed the spirit of what I write is not exactly correct - that just goes to show if I'm confused it can't be simple enough to understand). 

Now it seems the cut is based on districts and the number of clubs as this relates to membership - RIBI lost net 4 last count. So someone has come up with the idea that Devon should be merged with Cornwall (ok that was the case a couple of decades ago) but that a number of the Devon Clubs should go to other adjacent districts being formed and so on and so on doubtless up and down the country. Surely those districts that do not make the cut should be redistributed to those adjacent districts that do make the cut - job done:)

Except..... someone somewhere seems to have forgotten that as we are always being told Rotary is the Club upwards and that if one District does not want to do this, it doesn't happen. Further with the recently enacted Localism Bill the whole thought process in this country is changing - and tailoring solutions to local problems is the new 'one size fits all'.

It also seems somewhat random to down size to 22 districts, why not 10 etc. But, and here's the nub of the problem, to date as a humble Club President I've seen no financial justification for any of this in the papers I've been sent, and its my subscription, like all members, that pays for all this, or not as the case may be....

Follow me on Twitter @vogelphilipc

Ashburton Buckfastleigh the past the future

Attended two events within a couple of days this week end and week, which go to show that the past influences the today, and today is tomorrow's history.

On Saturday Buckfastleigh Town Council and residents of the Town celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Town Hall. Part of the celebration was the Town's retired GP Dr Peter Edwards reminding us of the history of the Town and of those who so generously gave by public subscription monies for the Town Hall and the different opportunities it offered then and now.

The Town Council gave 'Good Citizen and Community' Awards to individuals and Community Organisations that make a difference to the daily lives of residents. History was made and witnessed by all present, not just because a time capsule  was contributed by the pupils of Buckfastleigh Primary School and was buried in the Community Garden, but because the Town Council awarded the first 'Freedom of the Town' honoured to Sandra Coleman. I for one look forward to Sandra driving her flock of sheep through the Town:)

Yesterday I attended a public meeting called by the Ashburton Buckfastleigh Community Hospital League of Friends to listen the CEO of the Torbay NHS Trust talk about the forthcoming review of health facilities and Community Hospitals.

As President of the League of Friends Dr Edwards gave a resume of the 120 year history of our Community Hospital, noting the public subscription base of the hospital, and again making reference to the fact that there are still families in both communities of those who orginally subscribed.

 I would urge all residents to read and respond and consider the review document in due course, and make no comment on its content until I like others have read it.

What was, I feel, most striking was the passion with which residents from both Ashburton and Buckfastleigh spoke about their hospital - not the hospital or your hospital. (And I have to say, every time I've fetched up there the staff & our GPs could not do enough for me or my family). My experience not withstanding, both communities may just be names on a map, they may just be between Exeter and Plymouth on the A38 Expressway, they only be small moorland market towns on the outside, but on the inside they are communities of warmth, strength and character, where the past meets the present for the future.

Follow me on Twitter @vogelphilipc

South Devon UTC Newton Abbot - Find out More

Find out about the proposed South Devon University Technical College for students 14-19years at Coombeshead on Thursday 18th Oct 7.30 -9pm. Check it out at
http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/utc/

Christow Community Land Trust Press Release

Layne Fields Housing Development – Christow – Public Meeting

• A public consultation meeting was held at the Teign Valley Community Hall on Wednesday 19 September 2012 to ask local residents to comment on the draft design and layout of the Layne Fields housing development, which will provide affordable homes for families and elderly and disabled people in Christow. There was also a presentation on Christow Community Land Trust (CCLT) explaining its role as a not-for-profit society with the power to hold land and property for the long-term benefit of the community. Those attending were invited to become members, thereby encouraging wider public involvement in CCLT and its current and any future projects.
• There were 29 local people at the meeting plus 8 members of the CCLT Steering Group. The latter are all Christow residents, representing a range of skills and experience; some are Parish Councillors, providing a link with the wider village community, although they act as independent persons on the CLT. They were joined by the Steering Group’s professional advisers and project partners from Somerset, Devon and Dorset Community Land Trust Project, Teign Housing, the Regeneration Partnership, Mitchell’s Architects and the Gates Partnership. Philip Vogel, a Teignbridge District Councillor and a member of Dartmoor National Park Authority was also present.
• Before the meeting began, there was an opportunity to see representations of the scheme on displays in the Hall lobby, enabling people to see what the scheme will look like through the use of plans and very realistic images.
• Recent surveys have highlighted a need for affordable, rented housing in the village. It was confirmed that, in accordance with legally binding planning conditions, all the homes would firstly be offered to people with a Christow connection and, if not taken up, to those from local villages before being offered further afield.
• There was a great deal of interest in and discussion about the project and, on a show of hands, those attending the meeting unanimously supported the proposals. Similarly there was unanimous support for the application of Passivhaus principles in the development i.e. extra low energy cost, taking very little power to heat the houses and making them efficient to live in. 
• In terms of the layout and design, there was overwhelming support for the planned terraces as they are essential for energy saving at the highest level. There were discussions on the treatment of elevations with a consensus that people liked the render, slate roofs and stone work to the porches.  
• The meeting therefore endorsed the development and the site’s draft layout and design and this will provide the basis for discussions between Teign Housing, Christow CLT and Dartmoor National Park Authority prior to a formal planning application.
• There was also some interest in applying to join CCLT and membership forms were given out at the close of the meeting. CCLT will hold a Special General Meeting later in the year, when more information will be available and members will be invited to elect a Board of Directors, ensuring public accountability. 

If you are interested in applying for membership

 please contact Simon Lee on 01647 252116

 don’t hesitate – we want to hear from you!

Christow Community Land Trust Steering Group: Tom Archer; Sarah Cann; Tony Cook; Briony Falch; Simon Lee; Mike Rosenbloom; Adrian Sargood; Pamela Woods

Teignbridge Residents - Cosy Devon Scheme

Once this offer is gone its gone

An offer that might sound too good to be true! Teignbridge residents have until the end of November to benefit from completely free cavity wall and loft insulation through the Cosy Devon scheme. There’s even the chance to get your hands on a no-strings cheque for £100! The £100 offer only applies to those who receive Child Tax Credit and have an annual household income of less than £16,190, or anybody who is claiming Pension Credit. However, free insulation is available to all.

To take advantage of this special offer, residents should telephone J&J Crump & Son Ltd on freephone 0800 917 6963. They will arrange a free no obligation survey to make sure their homes are suitable, and if the householder wants to proceed they will book a date for installation.

The photo is of Cllr Kevin Lake (left) and Cllr Philip Vogel (right) with insulation material.

Buckfastleigh Neighbourhood report – September 2012

Over the past month there have been 35 incidents reported to us from Buckfastleigh.

We have had 17 crimes reported to us from the town which include 3 assaults, 1 crime for the possession drugs,  1 harassment offence, 3 criminal damages, 3 arson offences, 4 theft and 1 possession of offensive weapon.  One male arrested for harassment which was domestic related.

On  Sunday 9^th September police received a report of fire at the allotments on Fore Street Buckfastleigh. One male was arrested at the scene for arson, possession of offensive weapon and possession of drugs.  The fire was quickly contained and the only injuries were smoke inhalation to the detained person. He is on police bail pending further enquiries.

On Monday 1^st October at Dial Motors Garage police received a report of a robbery. 2 local males were arrested for this offence a short distance from the scene and shortly after the commission of the crime by officers responding to the call.   Whilst they were detained searches were conducted in the area by one of our dog units, supported by the helicopter and numerous other units, some of whom had come up from Ivybridge.  Local CID officers also attended the scene to begin an investigation. As a result of all the enquiries made on the night, and the result of further searches conducted the next morning one of the males has been charged with the offence of robbery whilst the other has been bailed to allow us progress further enquiries.  The charged male appeared in court on Wednesday 3^rd October and was remanded in custody pending further court appearances. The actions of the cashier cannot be praised enough and almost certainly assisted in the apprehension of those involved. This sort of offence, thankfully, is a rare occurrence across South Devon and more importantly in places like Buckfastleigh.

No crimes were reported to us from the Dean Prior area. 4 incidents were reported to us 3 related to the A38 and 1 was a domestic incident.

From the West Buckfastleigh area we have had 1 crime reported to us which was a theft of a leisure battery. There were 8 incidents reported to us of which 3 related to a possible rave which turned out to be a private party., 2 reports related to suspicious persons/vehicles, whilst 1 was in relation to an allegation of dangerous

From Holne we have had 3 crimes reported to us which include the theft of diesel from a tank and 2 thefts from vehicles in Holne and Vennford, where cash and cards were stolen. We have seen an increase in the number of vehicles being broken into when parked at local beauty spots.  We have increased patrols in the areas and have deployed one of our vehicles that is equipped with a multitude of cameras to catch the offenders in the act of breaking into a car.  Please take time to secure your valuables away from prying eyes when you leave your car and also take steps to ensure that you do not let anyone see you doing this.

Over the next month we will be out and about speaking to local resident s to identify those issues that currently affect people’s quality of life in the area.  From this process we will set our priorities for the next few months, with the updates going on our neighbourhood webpage.

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

Police Sgt Ian Stevens, PC 4939 Alison HOOPER,  PCSO 30577  Tamzin CAMPBELL-MOSELEY

Incident at Dial Motors - Buckfastleigh

Thought residents of Buckfastleigh would like to read this extract from a statement about the incident at Dial Motors on Monday nigh I received from the local Police:

...'2 local males were arrested for this offence a short distance from the scene and shortly after the commission of the crime by officers responding to the call. Whilst they were detained searches were conducted in the area by one

 of our dog units, supported by the helicopter and numerous other units, some of whom had come up from Ivybridge. Local CID officers also attended the scene to begin an investigation.

As a result of all the enquiries made on the night, and the result of further searches conducted the next morning one of the males has been charged with the offence of robbery whilst the other has been bailed to allow us progress further enquiries. The charged male appeared in court on Wednesday 3rd October and was remanded in custody pending further court appearances.

The actions of the cashier cannot be praised enough and almost certainly assisted in the apprehension of those involved.

This sort of offence, thankfully, is a rare occurrence across South Devon and more importantly in places like Buckfastleigh. It is for this reason that I have dropped you this note, just to brief you in regards to our response and ultimate result...'

A Randomtorial

A random thought or two on The Draft Submission Plan Teignbridge 2013-2033 document that will shortly be going out for 6 weeks final consultation. The responses will be collated and submitted without further discussion to Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) for the Minister to consider, and forwarding to the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol for Examination.

Policies contained within the Draft Submission are considered to carry some weight when Members consider planning applications, and as Examination approaches the weight to be attached to policies proportionally increases until a final decision is made on the status and policies contained within the document.

Teignbridge’s last Local Plan was delivered in 1996, and with the finding of the 2007 plan as Unsound there has been an interregnum in which there has been, in many peoples’ minds, piece-meal development and planning by appeal.

Plan Teignbridge 2013 - 2033 is about addressing this, and having policies that are equitable and sustainable across the District. The consequence of this is a change in the way applications will now be dealt with, which will of necessity affect Members, Officers and Applicants.

Members have, through the Plan, given a clear view as to where and what is acceptable in planning terms, and how they wish to see Teignbridge develop across all aspects of life in the District. It is a draft submission, and amendments, alterations, additions and removals may still occur through the Examination process - that’s the democratic way. 

There has been more extensive consultation that ever before, and at the end of the day, it is a District wide plan, about meeting the hopes and aspirations of residents now and for the future  in a manner that is equitable and benefits all residents across the District.