10. Public consultation event - Chagford Masterplan
Land between Lower Street and Westcott Lane. 2pm - 8pm Wednesday 19 November 2014. Jubilee Hall, Chagford
C G Fry & Son Ltd are holding a "drop-in" session to show the community detailed designs for this scheme for around 90 dwellings, employment units, a car park, toilets and a new fire station. An application is already being considered for the Blue Cedar Homes development; the event on 19 November will enable the community to see how C G Fry & Son Ltd propose the rest of the site will be developed. All are welcome to attend and express their views.
Land between Lower Street and Westcott Lane. 2pm - 8pm Wednesday 19 November 2014. Jubilee Hall, Chagford
C G Fry & Son Ltd are holding a "drop-in" session to show the community detailed designs for this scheme for around 90 dwellings, employment units, a car park, toilets and a new fire station. An application is already being considered for the Blue Cedar Homes development; the event on 19 November will enable the community to see how C G Fry & Son Ltd propose the rest of the site will be developed. All are welcome to attend and express their views.
9. Vodaphone Rural Open Sure 3G Signal - Postbridge & Bellever
Dear Nigel,
Thank you for taking the time to apply for Vodafone UK’s Rural Open Sure Signal programme for Postbridge and Bellever, Devon. We’re pleased to confirm that we’ve received your application and will be in touch shortly after our assessment period.
The Rural Open Sure Signal programme aims to bring 3G coverage to 100 rural communities across the UK, where before there was little or none. Our Open Sure Signal technology uses a low-powered ‘femtocell’ to create a 3G signal from an existing broadband connection. If your application is successful, we’ll install 4/5 Open Sure Signal units across Postbridge and Bellever, in the village hub locations you’ve recommended in your application to bring widespread 3G coverage.
We look forward to assessing your application. In the meantime if you have any questions, please contact me.
Kind regards,
Sophie Ree
Network Communications Consultant
Corporate Communications
Vodafone Limited
Dear Nigel,
Thank you for taking the time to apply for Vodafone UK’s Rural Open Sure Signal programme for Postbridge and Bellever, Devon. We’re pleased to confirm that we’ve received your application and will be in touch shortly after our assessment period.
The Rural Open Sure Signal programme aims to bring 3G coverage to 100 rural communities across the UK, where before there was little or none. Our Open Sure Signal technology uses a low-powered ‘femtocell’ to create a 3G signal from an existing broadband connection. If your application is successful, we’ll install 4/5 Open Sure Signal units across Postbridge and Bellever, in the village hub locations you’ve recommended in your application to bring widespread 3G coverage.
We look forward to assessing your application. In the meantime if you have any questions, please contact me.
Kind regards,
Sophie Ree
Network Communications Consultant
Corporate Communications
Vodafone Limited
8. An influential committee of MPs has launched an inquiry into rural broadband coverage.
The inquiry by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee follows concern that rural communities will miss out amid a government target to provide most areas with superfast broadband. The government aims ensure that superfast broadband is available to 95% of UK premises with universal access to a standard broadband speed of at least 2Mbps by 2017.
The cross-party committee of MPs will examine the current broadband coverage in rural areas and the new digital?only services.
They will also look at the "assisted digital" support being offered for farm businesses who need to access government online services but can't.
The committee is inviting stakeholders and interested parties to submit written evidence about the extent of broadband coverage in hardest to reach rural areas. It is also inviting written evidence on digital access and experience of the government's digital-only programmes relating to the Common Agricultural Policy. Written submissions for this inquiry should be submitted via the rural broadband and digital-only services inquiry page on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday 19 November 2014.
As a guideline submissions should state clearly who the submission is from e.g. 'Written evidence submitted by XXXX' and be no longer than 3000 words. Submissions must be a self-contained memorandum in Word or Rich Text Format (not pdfs), include numbered paragraphs for ease of reference and an executive summary if possible. Submissions should be original work, not previously published or circulated elsewhere.
For full details, click here.
For full details, click here.
The inquiry by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee follows concern that rural communities will miss out amid a government target to provide most areas with superfast broadband. The government aims ensure that superfast broadband is available to 95% of UK premises with universal access to a standard broadband speed of at least 2Mbps by 2017.
The cross-party committee of MPs will examine the current broadband coverage in rural areas and the new digital?only services.
They will also look at the "assisted digital" support being offered for farm businesses who need to access government online services but can't.
The committee is inviting stakeholders and interested parties to submit written evidence about the extent of broadband coverage in hardest to reach rural areas. It is also inviting written evidence on digital access and experience of the government's digital-only programmes relating to the Common Agricultural Policy. Written submissions for this inquiry should be submitted via the rural broadband and digital-only services inquiry page on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday 19 November 2014.
As a guideline submissions should state clearly who the submission is from e.g. 'Written evidence submitted by XXXX' and be no longer than 3000 words. Submissions must be a self-contained memorandum in Word or Rich Text Format (not pdfs), include numbered paragraphs for ease of reference and an executive summary if possible. Submissions should be original work, not previously published or circulated elsewhere.
For full details, click here.
For full details, click here.
7. The government has unveiled an extra £23m to help more communities to get involved in neighbourhood planning.
Neighbourhood plans allow local people to put forward and vote on their proposals for the type of development in their area – and where it should go. Local communities can draw up 'neighbourhood plans' that can be used in determining planning applications, and 'neighbourhood development orders' that grant planning permission.
Around 1,200 communities across England have already begun the process of neighbourhood planning, with 33 plans and one order having been approved in local referendums. So far, the government has helped more than 700 local groups develop their plans, with more than 1,000 communities involved in neighbourhood planning.
Housing minister Brandon Lewis said the government was "giving local people a real say in shaping what gets built where" in their local area. "I now want to take this further, to get more people and communities involved in neighbourhood planning. The £23 million I am announcing today will help many more community groups to bring their neighbourhood plans into reality."
Neighbourhood planning allows people to choose where new housing and businesses should go, the size and density of new building and can give the green light to developments.
The funding will providing community groups with a further £1 million for grants during this financial year, in addition to £4.25m already awarded since 2013. Grants of up to £7,000 can be applied for on mycommunityrights.org.uk.
At the same time, £22.5m is being made available from 2015-2018 to provide community groups with expert advice, grant funding and technical assistance about neighbourhood plans. Some £100,000 has been allocated to enable groups to organise workshops on neighbourhood planning in their local area. Local planning authorities can also take advantage of a £12m funding pot to help them meet the cost of their responsibilities and to support local communities. Planning authorities can claim up to £100,000 a year each to help communities start a neighbourhood plan, with an extra £25,000 for each plan or order that passes an examination.
Neighbourhood plans allow local people to put forward and vote on their proposals for the type of development in their area – and where it should go. Local communities can draw up 'neighbourhood plans' that can be used in determining planning applications, and 'neighbourhood development orders' that grant planning permission.
Around 1,200 communities across England have already begun the process of neighbourhood planning, with 33 plans and one order having been approved in local referendums. So far, the government has helped more than 700 local groups develop their plans, with more than 1,000 communities involved in neighbourhood planning.
Housing minister Brandon Lewis said the government was "giving local people a real say in shaping what gets built where" in their local area. "I now want to take this further, to get more people and communities involved in neighbourhood planning. The £23 million I am announcing today will help many more community groups to bring their neighbourhood plans into reality."
Neighbourhood planning allows people to choose where new housing and businesses should go, the size and density of new building and can give the green light to developments.
The funding will providing community groups with a further £1 million for grants during this financial year, in addition to £4.25m already awarded since 2013. Grants of up to £7,000 can be applied for on mycommunityrights.org.uk.
At the same time, £22.5m is being made available from 2015-2018 to provide community groups with expert advice, grant funding and technical assistance about neighbourhood plans. Some £100,000 has been allocated to enable groups to organise workshops on neighbourhood planning in their local area. Local planning authorities can also take advantage of a £12m funding pot to help them meet the cost of their responsibilities and to support local communities. Planning authorities can claim up to £100,000 a year each to help communities start a neighbourhood plan, with an extra £25,000 for each plan or order that passes an examination.
6.
From: YHA Dartmoor Manager [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 31 October 2014 20:58
To: '[email protected]'
Subject: Cycling on our moor
I am writing with regards to the consultation currently being undertaken by DNPA. Unfortuanately time has wizzed by and I am slipping this in as a very last minute thing, however I feel it is important just the same to write to you in support of the cycle events held here on Dartmoor, especially as I feel you may well hear more from those opposing them than supporting.
I am the manager of YHA Dartmoor situated at Bellever. I am currently in partnership with Moor2Sea, one of the 4 large cycle events on the moor, run by Stuart Bergman. As a charity we benefit from some of the proceeds of this event. Our facilities at Bellever are used as a food station for this event. In my opinion it is well organised and of benefit to local businesses. It is also willing to support as many local charities and businesses that it can. I am currently trying to work with Stuart to suggest ways in which they can spread their support in the local economy financially.
I am no cyclist! As such I feel unqualified to comment on the moor cycling guide currently being proposed. I am a motorist though and , like many others, have at times been inconvenienced by bunches of cyclist on our narrow lanes, however I am also inconvenienced by tourists, farmers, sheep, cows and hunt followers stopping wherever they wish and blocking the road. We all live with all of these yet I find it is the cyclists that get the worst press of all. As motorists we know little of the whats and whys of cycling on our lanes so instead of us, the un educated putting our opinions maybe it would be a better idea if we were actually guided by the professionals. I know Stuart Bergman will have a fair amount to say on this subject and frankly I think it would be a very good idea if we took a whole lot of notice of him. He is a cyclist, motorist and I believe an ex policeman, surely there is no one better qualified to give direction on this matter.
Stuart also runs a cycling workshop from my hostel 3 -4 times a year. He is extremely focused on safety and giving back to the communities which his cyclists visit, using local amenities such as the Postbridge shop, East Dart inn as well as trying to source anything he can locally.
I have lived in Postbridge for 10 years now and am well known to most of the locals so I am fully aware that there are those who obviously resent the presence of the number of cyclists that visit Dartmoor, however, I strongly feel that Stuart does his absolute best to communicate with as many parishioners as possible and is always open to all feed back and trying to find ways to maybe try and keep as many people as possible happy.
Cyclist is a bit of a dirty word on Dartmoor to many, but I think those that are supportive may not make their voice heard as much as those who clearly oppose them. I feel we need to try and work together. Cycling is always going to be part of our lives up here so wouldn’t it be nice if we could try and find it in our hearts to remember this is a national Park after all and that it is here for all to experience, not just those of us who are fortunate enough to live here. By working together it would be lovely to think that maybe we could find a positive way for us to all live side by side in harmony.
What I am trying to say is that while I think a guide is not a bad idea I worry that it may have a negative impact on our two wheeled visitors if it is not done properly with input from professionals within the sport. Surely the last thing we want is to discourage or show hostility to a group of people that actually bring a lot of much needed business to our villages.
Kind regards
Maria Bailey
Hostel Manager
From: YHA Dartmoor Manager [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 31 October 2014 20:58
To: '[email protected]'
Subject: Cycling on our moor
I am writing with regards to the consultation currently being undertaken by DNPA. Unfortuanately time has wizzed by and I am slipping this in as a very last minute thing, however I feel it is important just the same to write to you in support of the cycle events held here on Dartmoor, especially as I feel you may well hear more from those opposing them than supporting.
I am the manager of YHA Dartmoor situated at Bellever. I am currently in partnership with Moor2Sea, one of the 4 large cycle events on the moor, run by Stuart Bergman. As a charity we benefit from some of the proceeds of this event. Our facilities at Bellever are used as a food station for this event. In my opinion it is well organised and of benefit to local businesses. It is also willing to support as many local charities and businesses that it can. I am currently trying to work with Stuart to suggest ways in which they can spread their support in the local economy financially.
I am no cyclist! As such I feel unqualified to comment on the moor cycling guide currently being proposed. I am a motorist though and , like many others, have at times been inconvenienced by bunches of cyclist on our narrow lanes, however I am also inconvenienced by tourists, farmers, sheep, cows and hunt followers stopping wherever they wish and blocking the road. We all live with all of these yet I find it is the cyclists that get the worst press of all. As motorists we know little of the whats and whys of cycling on our lanes so instead of us, the un educated putting our opinions maybe it would be a better idea if we were actually guided by the professionals. I know Stuart Bergman will have a fair amount to say on this subject and frankly I think it would be a very good idea if we took a whole lot of notice of him. He is a cyclist, motorist and I believe an ex policeman, surely there is no one better qualified to give direction on this matter.
Stuart also runs a cycling workshop from my hostel 3 -4 times a year. He is extremely focused on safety and giving back to the communities which his cyclists visit, using local amenities such as the Postbridge shop, East Dart inn as well as trying to source anything he can locally.
I have lived in Postbridge for 10 years now and am well known to most of the locals so I am fully aware that there are those who obviously resent the presence of the number of cyclists that visit Dartmoor, however, I strongly feel that Stuart does his absolute best to communicate with as many parishioners as possible and is always open to all feed back and trying to find ways to maybe try and keep as many people as possible happy.
Cyclist is a bit of a dirty word on Dartmoor to many, but I think those that are supportive may not make their voice heard as much as those who clearly oppose them. I feel we need to try and work together. Cycling is always going to be part of our lives up here so wouldn’t it be nice if we could try and find it in our hearts to remember this is a national Park after all and that it is here for all to experience, not just those of us who are fortunate enough to live here. By working together it would be lovely to think that maybe we could find a positive way for us to all live side by side in harmony.
What I am trying to say is that while I think a guide is not a bad idea I worry that it may have a negative impact on our two wheeled visitors if it is not done properly with input from professionals within the sport. Surely the last thing we want is to discourage or show hostility to a group of people that actually bring a lot of much needed business to our villages.
Kind regards
Maria Bailey
Hostel Manager
5. Finding local
information and advice about care and support services
**Please promote this survey through your community and
networks**
Care and support is something that nearly everyone will need at some point in their lives. Even if you don’t need it yourself, you will probably know a family member or friend who does.
To help us to improve the information and advice available about care and support services in our local area please take a few minutes to complete the following survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DevonCareActIT
Closing date is Friday 5 December 2014.
Healthwatch Devon can provide the survey in alternative formats.
Care and support is something that nearly everyone will need at some point in their lives. Even if you don’t need it yourself, you will probably know a family member or friend who does.
To help us to improve the information and advice available about care and support services in our local area please take a few minutes to complete the following survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DevonCareActIT
Closing date is Friday 5 December 2014.
Healthwatch Devon can provide the survey in alternative formats.
4. Dear Clerks, I am writing to you to ask that you pull out all the stops to encourage your Councillors to attend a session we are holding about future development in your community. The attendance at some of our earlier sessions has been disappointingly low as we are trying really hard to involve all parishes in the debate around future housing development in the Borough.
We have now set up a session as follows: Friday 5th December, Kilworthy Council Chamber, 10.00 AM to 1.00 PM As many of the Councils were not represented at the earlier sessions we will spend a short period going over the points we covered but will quickly move on to the meat of the session which is fundamentally WHERE WILL FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS BE PLACED IN YOUR PARISH AND HOW MANY HOMES WILL BE PLACED THERE. As this part of the plan is such a key building block for the period up to 2031 it is essential that we get it right and equally essential that every parish has the opportunity to comment. Once the plans are finalised and land allocated for development we can expect developers to submit planning applications and at that point the principle is set in stone and as the local planning authority we cannot refuse an application simply because people do not want it to occur there. As more parishes become engaged in the preparation of neighbourhood plans we want to work with you all to ensure that the local population has a substantial input into the process. Unlike some of our earlier sessions we are not asking you to send a limited number of Councillors to the session and we would be pleased to see any Councillor who would like to attend. We do understand that daytime sessions are difficult for many Councillors but we also understand that 4 hour sessions in the evening after a busy day are far from ideal. The attached flyer gives a slight flavour of some of our early thoughts and an indication of the way the discussions may go. Please try to let all your Councillors either have sight of this e-mail and its attachment or make sure they are aware of the session and its contents. I do appreciate that for many of you this will mean a separate circulation outside of your normal meeting cycle and I apologise for the extra work this will involve you in but on this occasion I hope you will agree with me that it is worth it. Kind regards, Philip. Cllr Philip Sanders Councillor for Buckland Monachorum Ward Leader of West Devon Borough Council |
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3. Police & Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable Debate on Rural Crime
I attach an invitation and poster to an event entitled: ‘’Hot Seat Live’ Rural Crime Policing Debate with the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable.’ This event is to be held on Friday, 7 November 2014 at 12.30pm at the Hatherleigh Community Centre, Bowling Green Lane, Hatherleigh and if any of you wish to attend this debate, the invite asks that you email: [email protected] accordingly (and tell the Parish Clerk). |
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2. Princetown Library saved!
Devon County Councillors agreed plans aimed at keeping all the Council’s libraries open and run by professional staff, despite significant reductions in the service’s budget. Members heard that Councils elsewhere have successfully transferred the delivery of their libraries to ‘mutuals’ or ‘trusts’ who run the libraries on the Councils’ behalf. And that library staff, previously employed by those Councils, have been retained and continue to professionally run their libraries, with local communities having a greater say in how their libraries are run. Devon County Council thinks that it is a model that could work well for Devon.
All communities with a library will get involved over time, but as a first step the Council wants to work with up to 10 communities as pilots to help shape the new organisation and try out new ways of involving the local community. The plans were announced alongside others to invest in the service; to bring all 50 libraries up to the same high standard in having free wifi, and extending access to allow library users in some areas to use their library outside usual opening hours. The changes help make the £1.5 million savings needed by the library service by 2016/17 due to cuts in Government funding.
Transferring the service to a different model of delivery such as forming a mutual could save the Council at least £400,000 a year in business rates. It would also mean greater flexibility and give the service greater freedom to secure additional funding and income which the Council can not access. The plans, published last week, have been cautiously welcomed by those the Council has spoken to, and by all political parties, but the Council acknowledges that a lot of work now has to be done to gain a better understanding of how the changes can be implemented.
Councillor Roger Croad, the Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for the library service said:
“Library users have told us how much they value their libraries and that they are prepared to support their library to improve the service. They have also told us that, while communities can be more involved, retaining our librarians is really important for libraries to continue to be run professionally. Community groups already provide support to some of our libraries, helping them to raise funds for improvements or to help out at events. We would like each of our libraries to have the support of local groups in this way, and for them to have more of an influence about how their library is run.”
Devon County Councillors agreed plans aimed at keeping all the Council’s libraries open and run by professional staff, despite significant reductions in the service’s budget. Members heard that Councils elsewhere have successfully transferred the delivery of their libraries to ‘mutuals’ or ‘trusts’ who run the libraries on the Councils’ behalf. And that library staff, previously employed by those Councils, have been retained and continue to professionally run their libraries, with local communities having a greater say in how their libraries are run. Devon County Council thinks that it is a model that could work well for Devon.
All communities with a library will get involved over time, but as a first step the Council wants to work with up to 10 communities as pilots to help shape the new organisation and try out new ways of involving the local community. The plans were announced alongside others to invest in the service; to bring all 50 libraries up to the same high standard in having free wifi, and extending access to allow library users in some areas to use their library outside usual opening hours. The changes help make the £1.5 million savings needed by the library service by 2016/17 due to cuts in Government funding.
Transferring the service to a different model of delivery such as forming a mutual could save the Council at least £400,000 a year in business rates. It would also mean greater flexibility and give the service greater freedom to secure additional funding and income which the Council can not access. The plans, published last week, have been cautiously welcomed by those the Council has spoken to, and by all political parties, but the Council acknowledges that a lot of work now has to be done to gain a better understanding of how the changes can be implemented.
Councillor Roger Croad, the Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for the library service said:
“Library users have told us how much they value their libraries and that they are prepared to support their library to improve the service. They have also told us that, while communities can be more involved, retaining our librarians is really important for libraries to continue to be run professionally. Community groups already provide support to some of our libraries, helping them to raise funds for improvements or to help out at events. We would like each of our libraries to have the support of local groups in this way, and for them to have more of an influence about how their library is run.”
1. West Devon Business Voice Forum
Dear Parish/Town Clerks
Please can you circulate this email to your local businesses – many thanks.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Firstly our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused: due to a significant clash with Tavistock BID’s AGM the West Devon Business Voice Forum will now be held on Wednesday 29th October 2014. Light refreshments from 6pm for a 6.30pm start. The twin themes are finance and strategic rail. This event is free and all local businesses are invited to attend (agenda attached) but please rsvp for catering purposes by Tuesday 28th October.
Also:
The Business Survey 2014.
This is your opportunity to help us help you by completing the Business Survey 2014. Your responses will help us lobby for more funding for our area by using reliable data. All businesses large and small are encouraged to fill out the online survey which we expect to take about 10 minutes. The survey deadline is 31st October 2014.
Please click here to take the survey:
www.drcompany.co.uk/businesssurvey
Dear Parish/Town Clerks
Please can you circulate this email to your local businesses – many thanks.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Firstly our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused: due to a significant clash with Tavistock BID’s AGM the West Devon Business Voice Forum will now be held on Wednesday 29th October 2014. Light refreshments from 6pm for a 6.30pm start. The twin themes are finance and strategic rail. This event is free and all local businesses are invited to attend (agenda attached) but please rsvp for catering purposes by Tuesday 28th October.
Also:
The Business Survey 2014.
This is your opportunity to help us help you by completing the Business Survey 2014. Your responses will help us lobby for more funding for our area by using reliable data. All businesses large and small are encouraged to fill out the online survey which we expect to take about 10 minutes. The survey deadline is 31st October 2014.
Please click here to take the survey:
www.drcompany.co.uk/businesssurvey