Financial help for community and voluntary groups during the pandemic

MANY not-for-profit organisations, including sports clubs, village halls, PTAs, Age Concern and other help groups have successfully applied for financial support for their projects from Devon County Council through the Locality Budget. Information is available on the council’s website. Funds are currently available, if anyone has questions on how to apply, please get in contact with their County Councillor.

‘20 is Plenty Campaign’ gathers momentum

Our campaign for the introduction of 20mph limits within many built up areas in the town and villages, including outside of schools, is gaining momentum. The council’s current administration has been very reluctant to implement changes. This is a big issue for many communities across the county. Because of pressure from my own council group it has now been agreed to run a trial pilot scheme at Newton Abbot. A step in the right direction.

Bus and train services

Unlike during the first lockdown, bus services have not changed or been reduced by bus companies with the government’s financial help for services continuing. The current take-up of journeys across Devon is running at about 50 per cent of what it was before the pandemic.

Train services are also unchanged. During the past few years there has been significant investment to improve journey times and reliability on the Tarka line with the newer more comfortable 158 trains being introduced, replacing older rolling stock. Engineering work for further improvements is expected to take place in the spring. I am including a link to a handy summary of current rules around train travel: https://dcrp.org.uk/what-do-the-new-national-restrictions-mean-for-travel-a-quick-explainer/ .

Fordton road works

Subject to progress with the preliminary drainage work now being carried out, the much needed and long-awaited resurfacing work from the railway crossing to the mill entrance is due to begin on January 18. The work is planned to take two weeks, but the aim of the contractor is to complete sooner if possible. This will inevitably lead to some disruption and involve a full road closure with a diversion system in place. All near-by residents should have received letters explaining plans, including parking arrangements during the closure from the Highways and Traffic Management Liaison Group.

Winter grit bins

Several residents have asked about providing grit bins on steep gradients near to their homes. Thanks to a partnership between County and Town councils, and with the help of the District Council two new bins have been provided at Butt Parks.

If you have a grit bin near-by you that needs topping up or refilling please contact me or call the council direct on 0345 155 1015.

COVID-19 in Devon

At the County Council’s recent Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee meeting we had the report about service delivery for Public Health Devon. This report summarised the position on delivery of public health service during 2020-21. We were asked to note that due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the local authority public health function has been at the centre of the response and at the forefront of the local and regional response to the challenges presented by the pandemic. This full report is available on the council’s website for all those who would like to read it.

Cllr Nick Way (Crediton): Email: [email protected] Tel: 01363 777903.