Notice Board

Commissioner asks Devon and Cornwall residents to fill out policing survey

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall is asking residents of the force to take five minutes to influence the future of policing in the two counties.

Alison Hernandez today launches her annual survey into policing priorities as she plans the budget for the 2024-25 financial year.

The survey Your Safety, Your Say survey asks questions about the concerns people have in their communities, and whether they support plans to reopen more police enquiry offices and more robust action to tackle drugs.

Opinions are also sought on the level of the precept – the amount levied through council tax bills to locally fund policing – which the Commissioner will set in the new year.

For the first time the Commissioner poses a question about the use of artificial intelligence such as facial recognition cameras, and how supportive people are of using this technology to catch dangerous offenders.

She said: “Seeking views from members of the public is one of my core duties. In recent years the public’s views have helped set my policing priorities of tackling antisocial behaviour, drugs, dangerous driving and violent crime, as well as letting me know there is huge support for our policy of reopening police stations.

“I want people of all ages and backgrounds to help me again by taking a few minutes to take part in this survey.”

The survey can be completed online via the website of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall or at http://dcpcc.commonplace.is, in person at engagement events, or over the phone by calling 01392 225555.

Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and this pledge – which covers five simple ways to keep yourself and others safe – is a way of showing that you are doing your part.

Last year 47 people were killed and 741 were seriously injured on Devon & Cornwall’s roads. That number must come down.

All members of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership have committed to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured by 50% by 2030 – and eventually, to zero.

Do your part by signing the Pledge here: https://visionzerosouthwest.co.uk/the-vision-zero-pledge/ 

The Parish Council’s representation can be accessed from our Planning Applications page together with advice on how to submit a representation.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez is asking for communities across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to help keep drug dealers at bay by watching out for signs of so-called ‘county lines’ networks.

https://www.bishopsclyst.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Op-Scorpion-county-lines_-1.pdf

Community Speed Watch aims to educate drivers who exceed the speed limit and make communities safer by reducing vehicle speeds. Volunteers assist the Police in achieving this aim by monitoring vehicle speeds in location where speeding is a known problem. See further details here.

The Coordinator of the Devon & Cornwall Police Community Speed Watch for Clyst St Mary will be giving a presentation at 7:00pm on Monday 11 September 2023 at Clyst St Mary primary school.  This will take place prior to the Parish Council meeting which will begin at 7:30pm.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is hosting a free online information event on getting involved with your local council. The event will be on Tuesday 14 November 2023 from 12:00 – 13:15. If you would like to attend visit https://www.nalc.gov.uk/our-events and follow the ‘Democracy in Action’ link.

Have you been affected by crime?  Free, independent help is available for anyone of any age, even if you haven’t reported to the police. Visit victimcare-dc.org/ or call Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111.

Vision Zero South West has just launched a motorcycle behaviour change campaign – fronted by TV presenter and motorbike legend Henry Cole.

Henry, who is best known for his eccentric antics on ITV’s ‘The Motorbike Show’ and ‘Find It, Fix It, Flog It’ on Channel 4, fronts the powerful new campaign from the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership.

https://visionzerosouthwest.co.uk/tv-biker-legend-henry-cole-fronts-safety-campaign-aimed-at-south-west-motorcyclists/

We have been asked to alert residents to a group of youths from the wider Exeter area that have been taking or interfering with motor vehicles and trying dwelling doors and windows in an effort to find any open. Do please ensure vehicles, dwellings and other buildings are secure when unattended.

Ahead of the English local elections in May 2023, The Electoral Commission (EC) will be launching a new public awareness campaign in January 2023, aimed at raising awareness of the voter ID requirement and urging voters to remember to take their ID with them on 4 May. The campaign will also ensure that people are aware of the option to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if they do not already have an accepted form of ID.

Campaign notification poster

The consultation draft Plan can be viewed on EDDC website.

Consultation closes Sunday, January 15th 2023.

Link to Draft Local Plan Consultation – East Devon

Link to New Settlement Site Map

AVIAN INFLUENZA (Bird Flu)

From 7^th November 2022, it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds housed and to follow stringent biosecurity measures to protect their flocks. This applies whether keepers have commercial flocks, or just a few birds in a backyard. Link to the housing order:-  Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [Logo] (publishing.service.gov.uk)

The decision was made by the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, as the UK continues to face its largest ever outbreak of avian influenza – with over 70 cases since the start of October.

You should be vigilant for any signs of disease in your birds and seek prompt advice from your vet if you have any concerns.

You can help protect your birds and prevent avian flu by maintaining good biosecurity on your premises, including:

• housing or netting all poultry and captive birds
• minimising direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds – including making sure that their feed and water is not accessible to wild birds.
• preventing access by poultry and captive birds to ponds and watercourses
• cleansing and disinfecting footwear and equipment before and after contact with poultry and captive birds (or changing into clean footwear before tending to your birds)
• regularly cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces in areas where birds are kept
• reducing the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination, and using effective vermin control
• keeping fresh approved disinfectant at the right concentration for use at farm entrances and before entering poultry and captive bird housing or enclosures

Full details of what is required can be found on the government website – www.gov.uk/bird-flu

You can also find a self-assessment checklist at the above link to help you put the measures in place, as well as more information about the virus.

You can keep up to date with any future changes by regularly visiting the avian influenza section on the government website, and by registering for email or text alerts – www.gov.uk/guidance/apha-alert-subscription-service

The risk to public health from the virus is very low, however it is important that people don’t pick up sick or dead birds.

You should call the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 if you find:

• one or more dead bird of prey or owl
• 3 or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks)
• 5 or more dead birds of any species

The Food Standards Agency advice remains unchanged, that avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

Advice for chicken and turkey keepers

Advice for general public

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are (as of 18 October) encouraging families across the UK to not miss the opportunity for government-funded help towards their childcare costs.

Families could save up to £2,000 a year towards their childcare costs to help pay for October half-term holiday clubs and wraparound care during the school terms.

More than 391,000 families saved money on their childcare costs in June 2022, worth a total of £41.6 million in top-up payments, and HMRC is reminding thousands of other families to not miss the chance to save up to £500 every 3 months, or £1,000 if their child is disabled.

Families can sign up to Tax-Free Childcare to help pay for holiday clubs, before and after-school clubs, childminders and nurseries, and other approved childcare schemes. It is available to families with children up to the age of 11, or 17 if their child has a disability.

The government will pay 20% of childcare costs by topping up the money paid into a Tax-Free Childcare account. This means for every £8 paid into the online account, families will automatically receive an additional £2 in government top-up.

Further details can be found in the link below.

Government News Story

Action East Devon Services. Further details

Action East Devon are setting up a youth forum/voice group to act as a lead in East Devon to campaign and raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues for young people. Further Details 

Opportunity to undertake a mental health qualification course. Further details

This link is to East Devon District Council where they have lots of information, support and advice that will be of help and support to families you are working in the East of the locality.

https://eastdevon.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/financial-support-and-advice/help-with-household-bills/

Includes:

• Help with household bills
• Help with Energy Costs
• Loan Sharks and Illegal Money Lending
• Home Improvement Grants and Loans
• Other ways you can get help
• Assistance for Homeless Applicants

Simon Jupp MP holds regular surgeries across East Devon

Further information can be found at: JUPP surgery poster A4

Bus service changes and updates can be found at South West Timetables | Stagecoach (stagecoachbus.com 

“As part of our commitment to putting communities first we’re renewing our UK-wide strategy – and we want you to get involved.”

For information on how to get involved follow this link: https://www.puttingcommunitiesfirst.org.uk/

“We are starting a conversation about how we best support UK communities, this video explains why.”

If you, or someone you know, could benefit from this FREE support, contact Chris on 07903 591481 chris.hunt-watts@devoncommunities.org.uk

• Device checks
• Upgrades and/or repairs (worth up to £125)
• Short-term loan of a device
• Support with purchasing a new device (+ £100 contribution)
• Data/boardband connection support
• A digital friend to help you with all the skills you need to enjoy the benefits of the digital world

DigiBFA4posterFINAL

With rising energy bills and intense pressures on household finances this winter, independent charity Devon Communities Together is providing 1-2-1 support to individuals who are struggling with fuel bills and heating their homes, thanks to funding from Western Power Distribution.

The charity can offer home visits, video calls and telephone support, with trained experts giving practical advice on tackling energy issues tailored to each household.

“We know this winter is proving to be very tough for many households in Devon,” said Harry Bonnell, Project Manager at Devon Communities Together. “We are here to support those households that are worried about their energy bills so please do book a session and speak to one of our advisors if you would like some help.”

The support Devon Communities Together is offering includes:
• Practical help dealing with energy suppliers and finding the right tariff
• Checking eligibility for schemes such as the Priority Service Register and Warm Home Discount
• Assistance accessing financial support
• Help understanding the terminology around domestic energy
• Looking at alternative energy sources/suppliers
• Improving your energy efficiency
• Any other questions

As well as providing personalised help with energy bills, Devon Communities Together will be able to support people with related issues, such as housing and health challenges, by working with other organisations to ensure that people receive the help they need.

How to book
People can book an individual support session by clicking the link below and choosing an available time that suits them. If anyone has any questions or would like to discuss a session outside office hours, please get in touch with Martin
07984 001542 martin@devoncommunities.org.uk.

BOOK A FREE ADVICE SESSION HERE: https://linktr.ee/DCTenergyadvice