A reminder from Devon County Council of how to report a highway problem:
Phone: 0345 155 1004 or 0845 155 1004
OR visit the Devon County Council website for more info:
https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/report-a-problem/
A reminder from Devon County Council of how to report a highway problem:
Phone: 0345 155 1004 or 0845 155 1004
OR visit the Devon County Council website for more info:
https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/report-a-problem/
The Community Insight survey is running until 22nd December and is capturing a snapshot of life in Devon for our diverse communities.
We’re asking people whether they: can get around easily, access green spaces, look after themselves, feel safe, can access community resources and adult learning etc. We’re also asking about their health and wellbeing and social connectivity alongside views on fly tipping/cleanliness, decision making, whether they feel listened to and whether they think council tax should increase.
In order to reach all Devon’s communities, I’d be grateful if you could publicise this in your local areas.
Here is a link to the survey:
Initial results will be available early in the new year and will be shared with partners, including District Councils. Further analysis (age, disability, locality etc) will be available by the Spring.
The CLT had its first steering group meeting on Monday 9th September in Georgeham village Hall. There were eight residents present along with Alison Ward from Wessex Community Land Trust Project providing professional support and guidance.
There was positive enthusiasm from all attendees for affordable, sustainable housing for local people. The two main tasks for the steering group are to formally establish the CLT and look at the aims and vision.
At the next meeting we will also begin to consider options for a housing project. If you would like to join the steering group to help with this project you should come along (please be mindful the steering group is not a public meeting so anyone coming along should be willing to get involved and not just to observe).
The next meeting will be held at Georgeham village Hall at 4pm on Thursday 10th October. The group will vote on a chairperson, secretary and treasurer. If you are keen to see affordable housing delivered in our parish please come and get involved in this exciting project happening in your community.
Local residents are being reminded to make sure they get the right planning permission for their development before starting work.
The advice is being given following recent enforcement action which needed to be taken by North Devon Council on the owner of a building in a village within the Authority’s area. The building had planning permission for use as an agricultural plant store and garage but was being used as the owner’s home.
An enforcement notice was issued stating the first floor, internal fixtures and fittings relating to the use as a dwelling and an external staircase needed to be removed. A additional building on the site also had to be removed because the owners didn’t have any planning permission for it.
The Leader of North Devon Council said “The planning process provides the opportunity for applications to discuss their plans with our officers before starting work. This case highlights the financial cost that can be experienced and the loss of a building when someone decides to do something without the correct permissions.
It’s the Council’s job to make sure development is carried out in appropriate locations across the district. Unrestricted residential development outside the development boundary such as this goes against policy strictly controlling development within the open countryside. When unauthorised development is brought to our attention and it is in the public interest we will take appropriate enforcement action”.
North Devon Council offers a pre-application advice service providing anybody considering development within the North Devon district with the opportunity to discuss their plans with a planning officer before submitting a planning application. Information about the service is available on the planning pages of the Council website. Information about planning enforcement including how to report a concern, the enforcement process in North Devon and notices issued, is also available on the website.
Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica is perennial and spreads through underground stems (rhizomes) and can regrow from small fragments even though it does not set seed. It is very invasive. Digging out is possible, but as rhizomes grow deeply, regrowth usually occurs which needs destroying. This method also creates problems over disposal as Japanese knotweed is classed as ‘controlled waste’ under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This requires disposal at licensed landfill sites. Alternatively, it can be destroyed on site by cutting or digging it repeatedly and burning it when dry. In this way the energy reserves in the remaining underground parts will be gradually exhausted; a process which may, however, take several seasons. Similarly treatment with herbicides will require several repeated applications. On no account should Japanese knotweed be included with normal household waste or put out in green waste collection schemes.
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service really want to hear what you have to say about the proposed service options, so please use this opportunity to engage with them and have your views heard.
Please review the consultation document which provides more information about the proposed changes / options to the service.
Then please complete the questionnaire. The online consultation will be live until 22 September 2019.
GO NORTH DEVON runs a Ring & Ride service for people with mobility problems, disabilities or those who are isolated in the community without transport.
The minibus has a tail lift and is wheelchair accessible.
It offers a weekly door to door service from your home to Barnstaple Town Centre or one of the Barnstaple supermarkets every Monday for £6.20 return.
They also run:
Call 01271 328866 or go to www.gonorthdevon.co.uk for more details and book your seat.
Or visit:
The Shopmobility Centre
Albert Lane
Barnstaple
EX32 8RL
Go North Devon relies on the generosity of those who value our services either as users, friends and relatives of users or those who just know and value all we do to help those who are disabled, isolated and lonely to have opportunities to have a better quality of life.
Please click here should you wish to donate.
Volunteering with Go North Devon is not just driving… although they do need volunteers with D1 on their licence to drive our minibus. There are many skills, which are needed including passenger/wheelchair escorts, sighted guides and friends to join our Friends of Go North Devon Fundraising Group, Shopmobility receptionists and management board members.
Please click here should you wish to find out about how to volunteer.
For much more about Go North Devon visit their website: www.gonorthdevon.co.uk
AGENDA FOR THE ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, 9 APRIL 2019 AT 7P.M. IN GEORGEHAM VILLAGE HALL.
Sue Squire, Parish Clerk
April 2019
sue@suesquire.com
01598 710526
Resources
Georgeham Parish Council – The Last 4 Years.
With the life of the Parish Council, and term of office of Councillors, coming to an end 4 days after the Parish Council Elections on 2 May, a new Council will come into force until 2023.
Some people have never been to a Parish Council meeting, some come occasionally, some when there is a Planning Application they wish to make representations on – for or against, and some attend every meeting.
A Parish Council is the third tier of Local Government and a statutory consultee to the Local Authority, and in Georgeham’s case, North Devon Council, on Planning Applications.
Over the last 4 years, Councillors have considered and commented on 364 Planning Applications.
Although some may think a Parish Council is ineffective, it is a known fact that District Councils value the opinion of a Parish Council, especially for its local knowledge.
Far from being a lot of hot air, unmotivated and outdated, Parish Councils play an important role in the life of a community. That is evident from the number of phone calls and emails I and Councillors receive from parishioners. The Parish Council is the first ‘go to’ place when there is a problem or advice needed.
As I have said in past Annual Parish Meeting Reports, Councillors do a tremendous amount of work voluntarily, much of it unseen, but if it wasn’t done, then it certainly would be noticed.
Looking back over the Minutes for the last four years, this is a snapshot of what the Councillors of Georgeham Parish Council have been involved with for the benefit of the Parish and its parishioners:
Current Projects:
Completed / Ongoing Projects:
Georgeham is fortunate to have such a willing, proactive and dedicated group of Councillors who go out of their way to make sure the very best is achieved for the Parish.
Sue Squire
Parish Clerk
March 2019
Information on the Election Process can be viewed here:
