CAB Taster Session

CAB are offering a taster volunteer session as shown below:

Teignbridge is open for business

Teignbridge is fast becoming the go-to place for jobs and businesses in South Devon after three separate employment plans were given the green light.

read on:

http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=17204

Litter On Dartmoor

Many of us have been appalled by the amount of litter left on Dartmoor in and around beauty spots as well as on the open Moor. Detrimental to both the landscape and the animals that graze the Moor.

As a National Park Authority Member I would like, on behalf of the Park, residents and those who work on the Moor; thank those who see this litter - usually after Public Holidays and Snow, and take the time and trouble to clear it away and then dispose of it correctly. Not an easy task as I also well know.

The following extract comes from the DNPA web site at:
http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/visiting/vi-caringfordartmoor/litter

Litter

The Recreation and Access Strategy identified the challenge to reduce the amount of recreational litter and fly-tipping, and reduce the associated costs to the National Park Authority. One of the key actions from the Recreation Strategy has been to develop a litter campaign, which is due to be launched in May 2013.

Some of the issues / challenges

Whilst the Authority does not have a direct legal responsibility to remove litter (we are not the litter/waste authority), our staff and volunteers do undertake litter picking of heavily used sites. This is done as part of our role in the management of visitors.

The current cost of disposing of litter collected is around £20,000 per annum. This cost does not include the staff cost in collecting litter, so the real cost to the Authority is much higher. All litter disposed of goes direct to landfill as it cannot be readily separated into recyclables.

Littering and fly-tipping is a year round problem within the National Park. During the spring and summer, with the increase in visitor numbers and better weather, there is an increase in litter resulting from from picnics, fast food outlets and BBQ’s. Bonfire fortnight brings its own litter problems during November, and then over the winter, any significant snow event also means more litter from discarded sledges and other debris. 

The money the Authority currently spends disposing of litter could of course, be put to much better use. For example, £20,000 would enable us to replace an additional 100 kissing gates, or repair around 4,000 metres of worn out paths. Our Rangers and volunteers time spent clearing litter could also be used in a much more productive way.

Litter Campaign

The main theme of the litter campaign is “Love where you visit.” We have adapted the Keep Britain Tidy Love where you live campaign for urban areas and made it relevant to Dartmoor.

The key messages are:

• We want all visitors to help us by taking responsibility for their litter
• Litter should be taken home or disposed of responsibly
• Help to reduce the amount of waste which goes to landfill by recycling as much as possible
• Place disposable BBQ’s or camping stoves on a flat rock to prevent it burning the grass or other vegetation

Dogs

Through the Paws on Dartmoor campaign, dog owners are asked to be considerate to other users of Dartmoor and ensure that they clear up after their dog – especially if this happens on or near footpaths, car-parks and busy areas. Poo-bags can be disposed of in normal litter bins, in addition to dog waste bins.

Litter bins

Parish and district councils provide litter bins in villages and towns within the National Park and there are often recycling facilities in central car parks. The Authority has a long standing policy of not providing litter bins across the open areas of the National Park, or at Visitor Centres and car parks on the open moor. This is partly due to the cost of provision, but also because they would require regular emptying and can attract crows etc. Litter blowing around looks unsightly and presents a danger to wildlife and grazing livestock.

Fly-tipping

The National Park Authority is not responsible for the removal of fly-tipping. This ultimately becomes the responsibility of the landowner, but instances of fly-tipping should be reported directly to the relevant district council, giving the details of the location and of any vehicles involved:

• Teignbridge District Council - 0800 3286402
• West Devon Borough Council - 01822 813600
• South Hams District Council - 01803 861234
• Mid Devon District Council - 01884 255255

Litter campaign resources

Several resources have been produced to help promote the key messages:

• Large waterproof banners have been produced for our heavily used sites
• Branded panels for the outreach vehicle
• Posters are available for visitor centres
• Stickers and branded litter bags to encourage greater recycling
• Articles have been written for the press and magazines

Ashburton Residents - New Affordable Housing at Longstone Cross Ashburton

* * * New Housing at Longstone Cross, Ashburton * * *

AFFORDABLE HOUSING                                            

PUBLIC CONSULTATION EVENT

A Planning Application for a new housing scheme is being drawn up by Hastoe Housing Association.  Drawings of the scheme will be on display at:

Council Chamber, Town Hall, Ashburton

Wednesday 5 June 2013  3.30 - 7.30pm

Come along to look at the drawings, give your comments on the scheme ahead of the final design and discuss our plans for the new homes.  Hastoe staff and the architects will be on hand to answer questions.  A Dartmoor National Park planner will also be available to discuss the development, which is located on the site identified by Dartmoor National Park Development Plan.  The proposed new homes will be for affordable rent and shared ownership, and will be built to house local people in housing need.  

Priority will be given to people with a strong local connection to Ashburton.

IN HOUSING NEED? 

To be eligible for the homes all applicants must be registered with Devon Home Choice.  You can apply online at www.devonhomechoice.com or contact housing services at Teignbridge District Council on 01626 361 101. 

Telephone Hastoe Housing Association on 01305 216 945 for further information.

2013 Devon County Council Election Teignbridge Results

For those of you who have not yet caught up with the Devon County Council election results for Teignbridge they can be found at this link~:


http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16940

BUCKFASTLEIGH Neighbourhood Report April 2013

BUCKFASTLEIGH Neighbourhood Report April 2013

Over the past month there have been 40 incidents reported to us from Buckfastleigh.

15 crimes reported to us from the town which include 7 criminal damage to vehicles, 2 to dwellings, 2 thefts, 1 assault and 2 domestic related offences. 

Over the Easter Bank Holiday 8 vehicles were damaged in Elmbank a witness reported seeing 2 young boys aged between aged between 8 and 11 years scratching cars. House to house enquiries have been completed in the area by the local PCSO. To date these offenders have not be caught. Please be vigilant and call us if you see anything suspicious.

On the 18^th April 2 incidents relate to calls about noisy motorbikes speeding up and down Plymouth Road. The registered keeper of one of the bikes, who is a local male was identified. He has been given a fine for expired MOT. Another road related offence was reported to us about a motorbike regularly being ridden around the skate park area of Victoria Park. This rider has been given a Section 59 warning for driving elsewhere other than a road, if the manner of riding continues we will look to seize the vehicle.  

2 reports of criminal damage have been reported to us from South Devon Railway where train carriages have been entered and slept in overnight, a glass panel was smashed and items taken. CCTV from the site has been viewed, from this an offender was identified who has admitted to the offence and will be dealt with in due course.

From the West Buckfastleigh area we have had 0 crimes reported to us.  There were 3 incidents reported one of which was problem with a neighbour, 1 concern for injured scout and 1 call about a suspicious vehicle.

Holne was crime free.  1 incident reported of concerns for the welfare for a walker at Venford reservoir.

Police surgeries will be held at Buckfastleigh Town Hall, the next one being Wednesday 22^ND May 2013 at 7.30pm

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

PC 14486 Andrew Dudley, PCSO 30577  Tamzin CAMPBELL-MOSELEY 

BUCKLAND-IN-THE-MOOR, WIDECOMBE-IN-THE MOOR AND WOODLAND April 2013

BUCKLAND-IN-THE-MOOR, WIDECOMBE-IN-THE MOOR AND WOODLAND

MONTHLY REPORT APRIL 2013

During the month of April there have been 3 crimes reported to the Police.

Of the 2 crimes that were reported from Widecombe one was a domestic related offence and the other was a theft from a vehicle parked out on the moor. Whilst a van was seen near to the vehicle unfortunately no registration was noted and we were unable to take this further.

There was one crime reported in Buckland which was a domestic resulting in an arrest. There was also a report of 2 missing persons, both of whom were found safe and well.

Woodland was crime free. 

We have conducted Moor Watch patrols regularly in both marked and unmarked vehicles and on April 20^th we had a joint agency day on the moors with the Dartmoor Rangers and members of the council. The weather was good and the moors were busy so we were able to give advice and reassurance to many members of the public, and hopefully deterred the criminal fraternity!

We have spoken to local small holders and farmers about joining Farm Watch and Community Messaging and have received feedback about how this can be improved. If you would like any information about either please do look at the Devon and Cornwall Police website which gives all the information about joining.

Following reports about speeding we have been out and about with the cameras to several different locations collating information to pass on the Road Safety Partnerships. If you have concerns regarding this please do contact us and we will do our best to help.

We can be contacted on 101 or via the neighbourhood website www.devonandcornwallpolice.pnn.police 

PCSO Carolyn Studd 30590