Drewsteignton Parish Council
Please Note: There are three current Councillor vacancies. If you are interested in joining the team and making a very real contribution to your Parish please contact the Clerk or any of the Councillors who will be pleased to help you.
The Current Registers of Interest for Councillors can be found by clicking this link.
News / Notices
WDBC announce: Big Boost for West Devon’s Hospitality and Leisure Sector.
West Devon Borough Council has agreed to extend its financial support to hospitality and leisure businesses suffering during the national lockdown, while also allocating more than £300,000 of pounds to the borough’s economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the Full Council meeting on Tuesday (February 17), Members decided to continue funding for the particularly popular LRSG (Open) scheme, a business grant supporting hospitality and leisure businesses.
A particularly high number of businesses have applied for the LRSG (Open) business grant. With the hospitality sector hit especially hard by lockdown and COVID-19 restrictions, the Council’s allocation of £585,779 for the scheme will likely not be enough to fulfil all the LRSG (Open) applications from across the borough.
The Council looked at how to increase the funding going out to businesses most in need and the additional funding needed to continue supporting businesses through the LRSG (Open) will come from the Council’s allocation of the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) of £1.6million. The ARG business grant scheme supports those that are not covered by other grant schemes.
Cllr Ric Cheadle, Lead Member for Enterprise, said: “Giving our businesses support during these difficult times has been critically important to us as a Council throughout the pandemic.
“We want to ensure that we continue to support those who have been hit especially hard. Ensuring funding for hospitality and leisure businesses remains in place will continue to provide them with a vital lifeline, while the economic recovery projects will provide ongoing support for all businesses in the months ahead.”
A further £320,000 will also be allocated to ensure a sustained economic recovery. The projects funded by this investment will aim to benefit all businesses, tourism and the high street has been made available for spending until March 2022.
A sum of £50,000 of ARG funding had previously been approved to be put towards the support of broadband rollout, with a further £50,000 being put toward business support measures such as Business Information Point.
In total, the Council has paid out over £5.1 million since November 2020 in business grant awards, which has been funded by the Government. Some businesses have even received more funding than they originally thought they were eligible for.
The Council’s focus is to pay out as much money as possible, to as many businesses as possible, as quickly as possible, while working within the rules set out. This does include some essential checks to avoid fraud.
With more than ten different Government grant schemes currently available, West Devon Borough Council is more than aware of how difficult and confusing applications can be. To help, the Council has created a much simpler process, which means that application forms will be fast to complete, process and pay.
The simplified application process also means that customers will be issued payments from any of the other available grants, or future ones that follow the same format, for which they are eligible.
The Council is encouraging businesses in need of financial grants within West Devon to come forward and apply through the much simpler process.
To find out more and apply for a business grant, visit: www.westdevon.gov.uk/covid19business
Police Survey on Domestic Abuse
The Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, is currently undertaking a survey in the Devon area to find out survivors experiences of Domestic Abuse services.
The confidential survey is being run by Natcen and closes on Friday 25 February: https://survey.natcen.ac.uk/DASU
Get ready for Elections…
| Voting Safely at the Elections On Thursday 6 May 2021, residents in West Devon will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections and Devon County Council elections. There are also casual elections in some parish and towns. While the elections are not until May, we’re already making plans to help you stay safe while casting your vote. There are a number of ways to have your say in the elections in May – you can vote in a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, which is known as a proxy vote. If you would like to vote by post, now is the time to register using the Electoral Commission website. What are West Devon Borough Council Doing to keep you safe? “The elections are very important – they’re an opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in West Devon. “We’re thinking about these elections now so that, however you choose to cast your vote in May, you can do so safely. We’re putting arrangements in place to help you stay safe at the polling station; you can expect many of the measures you’ve become used to in shops and banks over recent months, such as hand sanitiser, floor markings and face masks. But you also have the option to apply to vote by post or by proxy.” Steve Mullineaux, Electoral Registration Officer Are you registered to vote? “The choice on how to vote at the elections is yours – you can have your say in person, by post or by proxy. “If you’re thinking about voting by post, you can apply now. This will make sure your application is processed early, and your postal vote can be sent to you more quickly. It’s easy to apply and you can find out how by visiting the Electoral Commission website. “You need to be registered to vote in order to have a say at the elections – the easiest way to register is online at Gov.UK“ Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission To find out more: Residents can visit the FAQ page on the Council’s website to find out more about the elections on 6 May 2021. The page will be updated with new information as it becomes available. Any residents who have questions can also contact their local Elections team at elections@westdevon.gov.uk |
Traffic/Road Notices from DCC.
For more information on any Road notice please click on the description for more information:
People of Drewsteignton Parish help us say Thank You to NHS workers.
Please help us to say THANKYOU to our wonderful NHS doctors and nurses with a hamper of gifts from our community.
The doctors and nurses working with Covid 19 patients need our help.
They must shower after every shift and not only is this very costly but it also means that they have to ensure they have the supplies. If you are able to donate any men and womens shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, moisturisers, hand cream, face cream, lip balm or any other items that you feel would be beneficial then please leave in the box in the church porch. (Chocolates would also be appreciated)
If you know of someone who would like to donate but is unable, for some reason, to come to the village please call me on 01647 281605 and I will arrange collection.
THANK YOU
Jane Hocking
Parents Childcare Survey
Following Devon County Council’s Childcare Sufficiency Assessment which was taken to cabinet in November, their Parents Childcare Survey is now live.
Please complete the survey to help Devon County Council better understand the Child care requirements of its residents.
Which is the best way to contact the Police?
Which is the best way to contact the Police? Well that depends on the situation… here is a guide provided the the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner to help the public decide on the best way to contact the police depending on the situation, of course if it is an emergency then you should dial 999.
Census 2021
Households across West Devon will soon be asked to take part in Census 2021.
The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.
It will be the first run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets.
Cllr Neil Jory, Leader of West Devon Borough Council, said: “There are some big changes to this year’s Census; namely the fact that it will be predominantly online for the first time. Yet it remains a vitally important mechanic for deciding where funding needs to go and how we should manage our services in the years ahead. It affects everything, including services that are vitally important to the everyday lives of our residents. I hope that everyone in West Devon fills out their Census questionnaire to provide us with the best possible picture of our population. It’s easier than ever with the first predominantly online census, so please take part.”
Census day will be on March 21, but households across the country will receive letters with online codes allowing them to take part from early March.
The census will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Iain Bell, deputy national statistician at the Office for National Statistics, said: “A successful census will ensure everyone from local government to charities can put services and funding in the places where they are most needed.
“This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, schools and new transport routes. That’s why it is so important everyone takes part and we have made it easier for people to do so online on any device, with help and paper questionnaires for those that need them.”
Results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations. For more information, visit census.gov.uk
COVID Winter Grant Scheme.
The DWP have provided a significant fund to County Councils and Unitary Authorities across England under the Scheme ‘COVID Winter Grant Scheme’. The aim is to support vulnerable households with the cost of fuel or food due to the continuing hardships caused by Covid-19.
Citizens Advice Devon are working on behalf of Devon County Council to distribute this fund to Devon residents in need. It will be prioritised for those for whom a payment will help mitigate the risk of self-disconnection and can include working families, single-household families, older people – anyone who is in need of fuel support so long as they are eligible.
We will be able to provide vouchers, top up smart meters online or even make payments to online fuel accounts. We can offer vouchers to the value of £28 or £80 depending on the clients circumstance.
The fund itself will not be available for long as the scheme finishes on March 31st so we need your help to spread the word.
We do not want to advertise the eligibility factors as if they are not eligible then we may be able to help the client in another way, we do not want anyone turned away if they do not believe they fit the criteria.
Eligibility
To be eligible for support under the scheme:
(a) They must have been impacted financially, due to Covid-19, and in need of assistance fuel.
(b) Ideally, we would like them to fill in an Income & Expenditure planner and / or a benefits check, to support them in understanding and addressing underlying need. Whether or not they agree does not affect them receiving vouchers. (c) They must be a Devon resident. Once the above eligibility has been confirmed please place the client into our Covid Winter Scheme work queue via Casebook system. Further eligibility checks will then be completed by our advisors.
For more information on the Cove Winter Grant Scheme please view this document.
COVID-19 Advice
COVID-19 Advice: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public or www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
Local Covid-19 advice can be found on the Devon County Council Website: www.devon.gov.uk/document/coronavirus-advice-in-devon.
If you are in need – or know someone who is – you can register that need at the email address below or by calling 01822 813600 or 01803 861234 providing the relevant name, contact number and address where possible. Local voluntary groups can register by contacting WDBC at the same email address CommunityCoordination.Covid19@swdevon.gov.uk. Further advice can be found at: https://www.westdevon.gov.uk/support.
West Devon Borough Council are offering a hotline number for residents needing help and support during the Coronavirus outbreak. The number, which will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, will be answered by the Community Co-ordination Team at the Council. Outside of these hours an answerphone service will be available. The number is 01822 813683.
Medical Advice: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19 . If anyone thinks they might be experiencing potential early coronavirus symptoms they should not to go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
Government Help and Support:
Businesses: www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
Employees: www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay & www.gov.uk/lay-offs-short-timeworking
HMRC Coronavirus Helpline 0800 015 9559 & HMRC Self-Assessment Payment Helpline 0300 200 3822
Community Action Response – five things we can all do
1. Think of others, consider your actions & be kind: People in the Parish will face the challenges of COVID-19 in some way – from needing basic provisions to help while they are unwell.
2. Connect and reach out to your neighbours: as self-isolation increases, we need to find new ways to stay connected and check in on one another for our physical and mental wellbeing. Share phone numbers and stay in touch.
3. Make the most of local online groups: Keep up to date, share information and be a positive part of our local community.
4. Support vulnerable or isolated people: different groups in our communities are at increased risk and social isolation and loneliness are key concerns for all ages. There are things you can do like volunteering for local support services or donating to food banks to help.
5. Share accurate information and advice: Support anyone who may be anxious about COVID-19. Sign post them to the correct advice from Public Health England and encourage people to follow the correct hygiene practices.
Council Members
For general enquiries or to report to the council collectively, please email the Parish Council Clerk
The following are the present Parish Council members, together with the ward they represent and a brief profile.
Ysanne James – Crockernwell
Ysanne was born in Totnes and spent her childhood in and around Dartmoor, before moving to southern Ireland as a pre-teen. She moved back to Devon in her late teens and shortly after started her family. She continued her career and education around her family life and is currently working as an administrator for the probation service. An active campaigner for equal rights, Ysanne moved to Crockernwell three years ago to be nearer her daughters and grandchildren.
you can contact Ysanne on ysanne.james@drewsteigntonparish.co.uk
Peter Brennan – Crockernwell
Peter and his wife Jane have lived in Crockernwell since 2002 and have two grown up “men” Tom and Ciaran. Peter is a business consultant working with a number of local businesses. Originally from Leicester, Peter’s career brought him to Devon in 2002 working as Group Managing Director of the Vapormatic business in Exeter, a subsidiary of Deere & Company Inc. (John Deere). Peter has worked successfully in complex and highly regulated industry sectors, building partnerships and collaborative relationships in the UK and globally. Peter has diplomas in both Mechanical Engineering and Management and gained his MBA from Exeter University in 2012.
you can contact Peter on p.brennan@drewsteigntonparish.co.uk
Anna Imrie – Whiddon Down
Anna has been happily settled in Drewsteignton Parish since 2004 and knew the area previously as an Exeter student in the 1970’s. After her MA, she worked in London as a picture editor and journalist and then joined her husband in a partnership as his still producer. Meanwhile, her sport was international rally driving and she went on to freelance widely as an advanced coach. Nowadays, she enjoys various local volunteering roles. She believes in informed discussion, balance, conciliation, and in taking a forward looking, positive attitude. Her special interests are road safety and small businesses of all descriptions.
you can contact Anna on anna.imrie@drewsteigntonparish.co.uk
John Redman – Drewsteignton
John has lived in Drewsteignton parish for 40 years on a mixed beef and sheep farm. He also has a property maintenance business.
you can contact John on john.redman@drewsteigntonparish.co.uk
Paul Ridgers – Venton
Paul is married to Fiona and they have two young children. They have lived in the Parish for 10 years, although Fiona has family connections with the village that stretch back 100 years. Paul is a director of an advertising agency in Exeter as well as representing the Drewsteignton ward for West Devon Borough Council.
you can contact Paul on Via the Clerk
Ian Rowe – Whiddon Down
Ian has lived at Mill Farm at Whiddon Down for the last 54 years and his children are the 6th generation on the farm. It is a working farm, in the past a mixed enterprise, nowadays the family only have sheep which fits in well with Ian’s plumbing business. Having lived in Whiddon Down all of his life Ian hopes his local knowledge of the area and experience in agriculture may be useful.
you can contact Ian on ian.rowe@drewsteigntonparish.co.uk