Dog control Consultation – Have Your Say

A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) deals with potential anti-social behaviour in an area which could have a harmful effect on the quality of life for those in the local community. It can ban certain things, or need specific things to be done, in this case the control of dogs in public areas.

The Council know that most dog owners properly control their dogs and abide by the rules.  However, they want to encourage every dog owner throughout the South Hams to be responsible and these Protection Orders help with that.

PSPOs last for three years before they need to be reviewed and the current orders run out in December this year.  The District Council now need to consult on the next set of Orders for the following three year period.

• The current review affects all existing PSPOs within the District and they want to hear what you think.  The Council is also considering introducing new orders within existing PSPO areas, as follows:
• Dog walkers must carry dog bags or other container to collect dog waste
• Restrict amount of dogs that can be walked at to four at a time

Reduce restriction on access for dogs on specified beaches between 10:00 and 19:00 from 1st may and 30th September inclusive in any year to between 10:00 and 17:00 from 1st July to 31st August in any one year to be consistent with Cornwall’s restrictions.

South Hams District Council want your views in a public consultation about Public Space Protection Orders for dog control in the District.

If you would like to share your thoughts about the proposals, please contact the Environmental Protection Team on: pspoconsultation@swdevon.gov.uk

Or by post to:

Environmental Protection Team

South Hams District Council

Follaton House

Plymouth Road

Devon

TQ9 5NE

The new Hole Farm Food Hub is now up and running. They are home delivering food from local suppliers Ben’s Farmshop, Riverford Organic Dairy, Barnaby’s Brewhouse ,Crock & Cole’s ferments, The Almond Thief’s bread, Sharpham’s cheeses, New Lion Brewery’s beers – and more. Full information and their online shop is at holefarmfoodhub.co.uk.

Our local foodbank in Buckfastleigh has seen demand up 700% in recent weeks according to Rev Tom Benson who heads up the operation. The foodbank is park of a nationwide network supported by The Trussell Trust and by local donations.

Read more about it here with details on how to donate money by bank transfer here.

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 

SECTION 14 

THE COUNTY OF DEVON (TEMPORARY RESTRICTION) (A384 GREEN LANE END TO WESTON CROSS, BUCKFASTLEIGH) (NO. 4) NOTICE 2020 

TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC & PARKING 

DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL hereby give NOTICE that: 

On TUESDAY 26 MAY 2020 

for a maximum of 5 days 

Anticipated Finish TUESDAY 26 MAY 2020 

Between the hours of 07:00 and 19:00 

No person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed or wait on the sections of Affected Roads. 

Roads affected – A384 GREEN LANE END TO WESTON CROSS, BUCKFASTLEIGH 

The alternative, signed, route for vehicles will be via – A384, A385, A38, AND VICE VERSA. 

This temporary restriction is considered necessary to enable – DEVON HIGHWAYS – RESURFACING AND ASSOCIATED WORKS 

For additional information contact: SKANSKA UK Telephone: 0330 105 1405 

Dated: TUESDAY 26 MAY 2020 

Meg Booth Chief Officer of Highways, Infrastructure Development & Waste Devon Highways Devon County Council Lucombe House County Hall Exeter EX2 4QD 

Ref: TTRO2035581 

The government has extended the RHI grant deadline by 1 year for ground or air source heat pumps for domestic applications.  This means projects must be completed by March 2022.  The RHI can pay up to around £34,000 over 7 years depending on the size of your house, and how efficient the heat pump is.  Detail here.

The government’s “Committee on Climate Change” wants a huge step up in the pace of replacing oil and gas boilers in order to achieve UK’s climate targets. They are telling the government that 15 million homes must converted to heat pumps or other green options by 2035.  So far, 95,000 homes have been converted under the RHI scheme since 2011.  This acceleration in pace is set to become a very big issue.  More here.

It’s expected that the RHI will be replaced with another scheme after March 2022, but there is also talk of using ‘stick’ as well as ‘carrot’.  New regulations could kick in when you sell your house.  And with government borrowing soaring as we fight Covid, it is very unlikely that we’ll see grants as generous as the RHI, which can pay a total of up to around £34,000 over 7 years depending on house size.    And whatever form regulation takes, it won’t be long before home buyers are expecting price reductions for the burden of dealing with a polluting oil or gas boiler.

If you can afford the up-front cost, my advice would be to contact your heating engineer to explore the options of converting to air source or ground source heating, and benefit from RHI before it’s too late.

I’m currently in the planning phase of a project to install ground source heating.  I’ve obtained a number of quotes and have learned a lot.  I’m very happy to share what I know if you contact me on simon.oldridge@gmail.com or 01803 762 740.

More on heat pumps here.

Due to the Corvid-19 pandemic, the Annual General Meeting for the Court Room and Playing Field Management Committee, originally due to be held in May 2020, is postponed until such a time when it is safe for the committee members and parishioners to attend.

I’m reliably informed by Barb Hinley (newly moved to Staverton) that Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellites will be visible this evening from 9:33. Best to look from 9:25 until 9:40. They will take 6 mins to
pass, travelling west to east, starting at 10 degree elevation
from the west horizon rising to 60 degrees elevation and dropping to
10 degrees at the east horizon.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-52355706

I have issued the attached statement to local media and social media in the hope of enabling residents across the South Hams (and indeed some fellow District Councillors who may not yet have read their electronic papers) to wake up with regard to this week’s Full Council, as I’m concerned about an important agenda item.

On Thursday, District Councils will be asked to vote on a proposal on the table to stop all questions and motions to Council meetings and stop all regular meetings until May 2021. I.e. shut down scrutiny, accountability and democracy for over a year. The attached statement explains.

This is an urgent matter.

Best regards

Jacqi
Cllr Jacqi Hodgson
Devon County Councillor for Totnes & Dartington
South Hams District Councillor for Dartington & Staverton
Totnes Town Councillor for Bridgetown – Town Mayor