Housing Policy Changes

A random thought about the Teignbridge District Council Homes Policy Changes. 

Back in the Land in Hand Trust Days, it was always an ambition to get rural affordable housing allocations for those who work or volunteered in their community and were basic to fabric of that community acknowledged. 

This criteria has now been acknowledged, and should enable Communities and their Community Land Trusts to be more flexible and retain their key workers.

Teignbridge District Council Press Release - Homes Policy Changes

Press Release – homes policy changes

Changes have been made to the way social housing is allocated in Teignbridge.

On Tuesday 30 July, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive approved a series of amendments to its social housing allocation policy.

The changes, which come into effective on 1 April 2014, are aimed at creating a fairer system while giving people access to the most suitable housing advice and support that is right for them, especially in more rural areas. It will also provide the council with greater flexibilities so those who are on the housing waiting list stand a better chance of getting the home they want. 

Allocation policies used to be subject to tight legislative requirements which gave little room for local authorities to be flexible but the Localism Act relaxed the rules and, as a result, Teignbridge decided to make some changes so it could make the system fairer and more effective on a local level.

In this instance Teignbridge is changing the way it deals with applicants for Devon Home Choice which is the housing register for Devon. It is the process people use to look and apply for social housing. It has different bands from A-E with A classed as ‘Emergency Housing Need’ and E is ‘No Housing Need’.

With a few exceptions, anyone over 16 can register for housing. People generally apply to join the housing list online and it takes about 20 working days to process the information. Available properties are then advertised and people on the list can bid for up to three homes at a time. This means a lot resources goes into processing information that isn’t helping people get into social housing. The policy amendments will help prevent that.

From next April, Band E applicants will be removed from the register and only those applicants in Bands A-D will be eligible for social housing. Teignbridge is also introducing a new category of need for ‘community contribution’. The amendment will allow those who have been working, or volunteering, in a rural area for a minimum of one year prior to their application to be placed in Band D for housing in that area if they have no other housing need.

Teignbridge is the first council in Devon to make this change to their housing policy. Although other larger authorities in other parts of the county have introduced a community contribution category to their allocation policy, Teignbridge is one of the first to make this happen for its rural communities.

Teignbridge District Council’s Leader Cllr Jeremy Christophers said:

“There is an greater pressure on providing suitable housing, including social, and priority needs to be given to those who are most in need. Our changes are aimed at making sure this happens, rather than encouraging false hope and large waiting lists.

“We’re the first to introduce a new category of need for ‘community contribution’. This amendment means that applicants living in rural communities who have worked either paid or unpaid in employment for 12 months or more locally will be eligible for Band D placement. This is a really important proposal because it will help residents who need it but will help us meet the aspirations for providing rural affordable housing schemes through Community Land Trusts.

“I’ve always said housing is a priority and hopefully this will go a long way in proving that. Being able to help people into the right homes for them – or give them the right support and assistance – will make an immense different to their health, happiness, quality of life and it will make the system a lot fairer and more effective.”

At the same time the changes will compliment a lot of the other work the Council is doing to help give people the right houses for them. This includes careful development of new housing in rural areas to create sustainable communities, self build, working with parish councils to complete rural housing need surveys.

Allowances will be made so Band E applicants can reapply if their needs change or they can ask for a review of their application if they are unhappy with Teignbridge’s decision not to allow them to register.

In addition Teignbridge’s Housing Services team will put in place an action plan so any affected applicants are offered advice and support on their housing options before they are removed from the register.

There are a range of options open to them such as shared ownership, shared equity and the Government’s FirstBuy scheme. Last year Teignbridge also helped 284 applicants into the private rented sector with loan guarantees and money advice.

The changes were made after the council asked people for their views with results revealing overwhelming public support to implement the changes.

ENDS

Ashburton Rural Areas Neighbourhood Report June 2013

There have been a total of 23 incidents reported to us from the rural areas surrounding Ashburton.

 

Bickington

 

We had 1 report of a domestic incident which was resolved peacefully, three traffic related reports, none of which resulted in any injuries.

There were also two false 999 calls originating from Bickington, thankfully these were made in error.

 

Woodland, and Buckland in the Moor

 

Have reported no crimes or incidents to us in the last month.

 

Widecombe and South Dartmoor

 

We have had a total of 17 reports from this area. 8 of these are traffic incidents, again thankfully no one was injured in any of these.

1 potential rave was reported to us, the rave itself did not occur but we remain vigilant for these events.

3 suspicious vehicles were  also called in to us, all three were checked eventually and found to either not have committed any offences, or were simply lost.

 

2 other miscellaneous incidents were reported to us during June.

 

There were three calls regarding concerns for people’s welfare, two of which were not serious in the end. However, there was a serious incident at Spitchwick Common, involving an injury resulting from a fall onto some of the rocks at the Common. 3 specialist off road ambulances attended as well as Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. The injured person was eventually air lifted by helicopter to Derriford hospital
Thankfully the injuries sustained were not life threatening and they are making a good recovery.

We would like to remind you that Spitchwick Common gets extremely busy during the warm weather and that parking is very limited there.  We would also request that all litter is taken away with you after your stay.

 

 

Police surgeries will be held at the Community Hall in Ashburton, the next one being  13^th of August 2013

 

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

PC 14486 Andrew Dudley, PCSO 30596 Ben Cattrall

 

 

DEVON AND CORNWALL CONSTABULARY

From:

PC 4486 DUDLEY

To:

ASHBURTON TOWN COUNCIL

CONWAY HOUSE

THE TOWN HALL

ASHBURTON

ASHBURTON

Tel No:

101

Ref.:

Your Ref.:

Date:

09 July 2013

Subject:

POLICE REPORT 12TH JUNE-9TH JULY 2013

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would like to update you on Policing matters in the town during the last month.

88 incidents were reported. 18 of these concerned the A38 and a further 10 were traffic related incidents in the town itself. Two reports of anti-social behaviour were received. We have also had 6 reports of young people using the swimming pool in Love Lane after hours. This is often in the early hours of the morning, much to the inconvenience of the nearby residents.

11 crimes were recorded. They included-

3 thefts

3 offences of criminal damage

3 common assaults

No burglaries were reported.

Arrests made include that  of a 26yr old male who assaulted a male in North Street and stole from the Spar on Wednesday 3^rd July. He has been charged to court with conditions not to enter the town centre.

Carnival week went very well from our point of view. Extra Policing on the evening of the Town Party helped to keep anti-social behaviour to a minimum. However, officers did have to deal with a number of confrontations between adults in the town centre in the early hours of the morning.

My next Police Surgery at the Information Centre is from 10-11am on Tuesday 13^th August.

I can be contacted at Conway House 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

 

 

 

Content thanks to D&C Constabulary

Coming to South Devon for a holiday this Summer?

Visit dartmoor National Park. Check out the website:

http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/

Dartmoor National Park Local Development Framework: Adoption of the Development Management and Delivery Development Plan Documen

Your ref: 

Please quote: SB/13/16

Tel: 01626 832093

E-mail: sbelli@dartmoor.gov.uk

9 July 2013

Dear Parish Clerk

Dartmoor National Park Local Development Framework:

Adoption of the Development Management and Delivery Development Plan Document 

Copy of a letter from Director of Planning dartmoor National Park to Parish Clerks:

Dartmoor National Park Authority adopted its Development Management and Delivery Development Plan Document (DMD) on Friday 5 July 2013. 

The DMD provides the more detailed development management policies, proposals and site allocations needed to support the already adopted Core Strategy to guide land use planning in Dartmoor in the period up to 2026. 

The final version of the DMD has yet to be published. However, a words only version of the final document is accessible on the Authority’s website www.dartmoor.gov.uk/dmd, where you can also find the Policies Map updates and other information needed to apply the adopted policies and proposals of the DMD. The DMD website page also contains a link to the Inspector’s Report.

I will ensure that you receive two copies of the paper version of the final document as soon as they are available.

Yours sincerely

Stephen Belli

Director of Planning

Whitecleeves Quarry Appeal Enquiry

I was given leave to address the Inspector of the Whitecleeves Quarry Appeal Enquiry yesterday evening and for the sake of verisimilitude I reproduce my statement below. All parties to the Appeal were given copies by the Inspector prior to my speaking:

'I address this Enquiry as one of the three Teignbridge District Councillors for the Ashburton Buckfastleigh Ward and in no other capacity.

My presentation is to ..respectfully bring to the Inspector's attention when deciding on the weight and balance to give to the evidence being presented to the Enquiry, that he may wish to consider in his deliberations the Rotary Four Way Test;

Is it the Truth;

Is it Fair to all concerned;

Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships;

Will it be beneficial to all concerned.'

July monthly update - A380 South Devon Link Road

Please find attached the July edition of the South Devon Link Road monthly update.

These newsletters are produced on a monthly basis to ensure you are kept as informed as possible.  We’ve also uploaded the update to our website here:

http://www.southdevonlinkroad.co.uk/sites/default/files/u40/July%20monthly%20bulletin%20-%20Galliford%20Try.pdf

Thanks to 

The Public Liaison Officer for Galliford Try, the contractor appointed to build the SDLR, is Tracey Waygood.  Should you have any questions please email her at A380.SDLR@gallifordtry.co.uk.

BUCKFASTLEIGH Neighbourhood Report June 2013

Over the past month there have been 36 incidents reported to us fromBuckfastleigh.

 

18 Crimes reported from the town which include:-

 

4 Domestic related incidents

1 Criminal damage to property

1 Criminal damage to vehicle

5 Thefts

4 Assaults

1 Complaint re dogs

2 Burglaries

 

In April’s newsletter we reported that 8 vehicles had been damaged in the area of Elmbank in Buckfastleigh. A witness reported seeing 2 young boys aged between aged between 8 and 11 years scratching cars. 2 local boys to the area have been identified and spoken to by Police. This has been dealt with by way of a Restorative Process.

 

Work is still ongoing in relation to nuisance motorbikes. On 26^th June we received a call regarding nuisance bikes in the area of Bilberry Hill. As a result of a road relate offence the bike was seized. The rider had already received a Section 59 warning from Police in April 2013.

 

No crimes were reported to us from the Dean Prior area. 

 

We have received 2 reports concerning a bright green Kawasaki mini motorbike with a distinctive number “10” on the side being ridden on the roads around Buckfastleigh. This bike has no number plates and the rider would not be able to obtain insurance for the vehicle and should not be ridden on public roads. If seen please call 101.

 

From the West Buckfastleigh area we have had 0 crimes reported to us.  There were 4 incidents reported 2 which were animal related. 1 threat via E-bay and 1 confused vulnerable male.

 

Police surgeries will be held at Buckfastleigh Town Hall, the next one being Wednesday 17^th July at 7.30pm

 

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

 

PCSO 30577 Tamzin CAMPBELL-MOSELEY

 

 

 Thanks to D&C Police for this

Traveller Site Haldon Ridge

At today's Teignbridge District Council Executive it was resolved that:

a) That the Council proceed with the proposal.


b) That the Business Lead for Housing and Health, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, be authorised to approve the terms of the agreement for the provision and use of the site, including, the financial contributions and safeguards and the needs criteria and priorities which would attach to the allocation of the pitches, with priorities for applicants with local connections to Teignbridge, families with children, applicants under Devon Home Choice and residents of Devon, following a meeting with Teign Housing, the HCA and Devon County Council.

A full TDC Press Release will be available on the TDC website in due course

http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=17322