Chairman's Blog 2

Thank you for so many messages of congratulation on my appointment to the Chair of Teignbridge District Council. More about future plans later, but now down to business.

Friday, 22nd May proved a very crowded day. I had a very early start for my first engagement at the Edginswell Business Park, Torquay at the foundation stone laying ceremony for the impressive office complexes to house Chartered Accountants, Francis Clark and Solicitors Kitson Hutchings under construction by contractors Mansell. The Teignbridge boundary lies at the edge of this new development and our area will most certainly benefit from the additional employment opportunities within easy travelling distance along what is hoped will be the new Kingskerswell By-pass.

Adrian Sanders MP for Torbay performed the opening ceremony together with Mayor Nick Bye. Adrian seemed somewhat relieved to be back in Devon after the hothouse atmosphere at Westminster and the daily revelations about MP's expenses. Everyone agreed that major developments such as this will attract high quality businesses to the whole of the South Devon area.

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We had a couple of hours to spare and paid a visit to Luscombe Castle, Dawlish for the Hospital League of Friends annual fundraising coffee morning. What a joy it was to be able to enjoy the magnificent grounds and exquisite gardens forming the backdrop to the lovely castellated home of the Hoare family whose ancestors have lived there for over 200 years. The peace and tranquillity of this lovely place was all embracing and it was hard to believe that the hustle and bustle of the busy town of Dawlish was literally over the garden wall.

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Off then to Devon County Show and an invitation to a cream tea with Chairman Cllr. John Rawlinson. Remembering the deluge last year it was such a relief for the Organisers to know that the weather was set fair for the whole period of the Show. I spotted our own Peter Bromell on BBC Spotlight the night before, beaming from ear to ear, escorting the Earl and Countess of Wessex around the showground. It was good to see so many familiar faces and to see local exhibitors and businesses represented. I hear that attendance at the Show broke all records with over 100,000 visitors boosting the local economy by over £160M. Wonderful stuff and congratulations all round!

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Bank Holiday weekends are full of local events, all run by dedicated people giving their time and energies for the benefit of others and raising lots of money for good causes. Saturday, 23rd May saw Tina Graham and her team at Volunteering in Health out in force in Teignmouth for a Charity Fun Day to raise awareness and funds for local patient services. Rotary was there with a Shelterbox tent displayed to demonstrate how help gets to people affected by natural disasters when the big green boxes full of practical survival essentials are hauled up mountains to reach communities isolated after an earthquake.

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I want to get about to local events so Bank Holiday Monday, 25th May took us to the annual Ram Roasting Fair in Kingsteignton. We joined the thousands flocking to Oakford Lawn to celebrate this ancient festival when the village was spared from starvation following a drought. It was baking hot but the young girls dancing around the Maypole made sure that their ribbons finished up perfectly untangled and back in the right place. Tony Beard the Wag from Widdecombe, welcomed everyone in his rich Devonshire dialect and did the honours by crowning the May Queen.

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Tuesday 26th May I was delighted to go to Dawlish Warren to see the 2009 Blue Flag raised proclaiming once again that the beaches and seawater were clean, safe and up there with the many famous beach resorts throughout Europe. RNLI Lifeguards now patrol our beaches watching over the safety of swimmers and beach users. With their distinctive bright red uniforms, state of the art equipment and the best look out Tower on the sea wall, visitors can be confident that safety is a priority not only at Dawlish Warren but Dawlish, Teignmouth and Shaldon also.

CHAIRMAN’S BLOG – MAY 2009

It is a curious feeling to find myself sitting in a raised position in front of a roomful of my Councillor colleagues who have elected me as Chairman of Teignbridge District Council for the year 2009/10. Why curious? Well for one thing the usual debating challenges aimed by colleagues at each other during the course of the past year are missing. No contentious issues, no scores to settle, no last minute surprises.

Instead I presided over the smooth transition of the Chairmanship from Cllr. David Weekes to myself in an atmosphere of genuine support and goodwill from all sides of the Chamber. I was touched and humbled by the tributes and congratulations delivered by colleagues and feel honoured that they unanimously expressed confidence that I will represent the best interests of Teignbridge and the changes we all strive to make for the benefit of the people we represent.

In accepting the Teignbridge Chain of Office, I have committed myself to represent and champion all that is best about the Council I have served since 1979. Supported by my husband Bill, himself a former Teignbridge Councillor we are very much looking forward to getting out and about visiting as many places in the area as possible, seeing what people are doing in their own communities to foster opportunities and improvements with the help of the professional support of Teignbridge Officers who work hard to advise and guide groups and organisations through the forests of paperwork which can be complicated and daunting to enthusiastic volunteers.

I have seen many changes since I was first elected a Teignbridge District Councillor in May 1979. In those days Council meetings were held in the former Newton Abbot Council premises at Kingsteignton Road, Kngsteignton. All other principal offices were scattered around the District. Eventually we had the opportunity to secure ownership of Old Forde House and plan the development of the office complex we occupy today. Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh came to formally open the House and grounds as our new base. I think we can rightly claim that the coming together of all strands of local government in Teignbridge on this campus at Forde House has strengthened and evolved the partnerships and working relationships we now enjoy with the business community, residents and neighbouring authorities.

Now more changes are on the horizon and I do not just mean a possible General Election! Whoever is in charge at Westminster will be deciding whether the current system of local government administration in Devon should continue unchanged or be re-born as a unitary organisation. We are in a period of some uncertainty but I know everyone here, Councillors, Officers and staff will continue as always to oversee the business of the Council and further the interests of everyone living in the District. In my role as Chairman I will continue to raise the profile of the Council throughout the area, taking the view that until someone says otherwise, it is Business as Usual!

Local Producers Market to Launch in Teignmouth

Shoppers in Teignmouth are in for a treat with the launch of a brand new Local Producers Market in the town.

Teignmouth's Triangle will host the monthly event, which kicks off on Saturday 16th August, 9am - 1pm. The Market will be held on a trial basis in Teignmouth on the third Saturday of every month for the next six months.

A range of stalls will be offering everything from pies and bread to delicious home made fudge and tasty conserves, all of it sourced in South Devon and sold by local traders. With the average Sunday dinner travelling 49,000 miles to reach people's plates (and emitting 37kg of CO2 in to the atmosphere)*, the new Local Producers Market gives customers the opportunity to slash these figures and buy produce that's sourced within a 30 mile radius.

The event is being organised by Teignbridge District Council, with support from Teignmouth Town Council and Devon County Council, and promises to bring some of the best local produce from Teignbridge and South Devon to local shoppers.

To celebrate the first market anybody making a purchase will have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win a hamper full of market goodies. A purchase from any stall is required to enter the draw and the winner will be drawn at random at the end of the first market.

David Corney-Walker, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Economic Development & Tourism said:

"This market will prove a real bonus for local shoppers and visitors alike, offering top quality local produce in one of Teignbridge's thriving urban centres. Shoppers will be able to purchase a wide range of goods, and we hope they will also take the opportunity to spend some time in the town and see for themselves just how much Teignmouth has to offer.
"We are committed to providing new economic opportunities to help improve prosperity in our communities, and we hope that this latest development will help encourage even more shoppers to visit the town."

Cllr David Weekes, Teignbridge Ward Member for Teignmouth East said:

"I'm very pleased that Teignmouth is hosting a local producers market and that it has the support of the Town Council as well as the Teignmouth Traders Association. "I feel it will complement our resident traders and businesses with new customers who would otherwise travel to other towns to purchase their Local Producers products. "I'm sure it will be a great success and be a benefit to our town and our customers."

Cllr Sylvia Russell, Teignbridge Ward Member for Teignmouth East said:

"Teignmouth is very fortunate to have access to fresh local produce in our shops all the year round and I hope this renewed initiative for a monthly local producers market in the Triangle will add a new dimension to the Teignmouth shopping experience, adding to the wide variety of choice available to residents and visitors."

New National Award for Teignmouth

Hot off the heels of its recent Green Flag success, Teignmouth Den has scooped a ‘Commended’ prize in this year’s Local Government Network Street Design Awards.

The Den won the award in the 'Children's Play' category, placing the play park, Adventure Golf, Multi-Use Games Area and open space as one of the best designed resorts in the country. It is the latest in a line of awards for the Den, which has also won a Green Flag Award and a Highly Commended in the ILAM Best Playground 2005 Competition.

The awards follow £1M of investment by Teignbridge Council over the past few years, which has seen the first example of wet play facilities in Teignbridge, a state-of-the-art Adventure Golf course, and a multi-use games area which enables local people to enjoy a range of sports including tennis and five-a-side football.

Will a Flat Screen TV Get Your Vote?

It's not every day you get the chance to win a brand new flat-screen TV, simply by returning your voter registration form - but that's the offer!!

All you need to do is look out for the voter registration form which will have been delivered at the end of August. Just make sure you respond by Monday 20th October and your household will be automatically entered into the free prize draw. It doesn't matter whether you use one of the automated services or post the form back to Teignbridge - everyone has an equal chance of winning.

Not only will your quick response ensure you have a chance of winning a TV, it will also help Teignbridge save your money by not having to issue a reminder or send a canvasser to visit. In 2007 13,000 reminders were issued and 7,000 properties received at least one visit. A prompt response can help make sure we are all winners!!

This promotion is being run at no cost to the Teignbridge council tax payer as it is being sponsored by central government. Electoral Registration Officers have a duty to promote greater electoral participation and are entitled to claim from a Central Government fund to do this.

For more information on the 2008/9 Electoral Registration Canvas follow the link below:

Voter Registration 2008/9

If you have any questions or require further information, please contact the Electoral Services Office.

Telephone helpline: 01626 215104

E-mail: electoralservices@teignbridge.gov.uk

Summer Sizzlers

SUPER SUMMER SIZZLERS OFFER CUT-PRICE FUN!

There's never been a better time to get happy and healthy at local leisure centres as Teignbridge Council introduces its special Summer Sizzler passes.

At a time when it's getting ever more important to watch the pennies, Teignbridge has introduced two brand new Summer Sizzler passes for the months of July and August, helping users of all ages get the most out of their local leisure centre at an even more affordable price.

The Junior Summer Sizzler is on sale now and costs £10, entitling the holder to 10 indoor swims at either Dawlish or Newton Abbot Leisure Centre. Available to people aged 16 or under, the cards can be renewed after 10 swims and reused as many times as required throughout July and August, meaning that younger customers can enjoy a whole summer of super-cheap swims!

Young people aren't the only ones in for a treat, however, with the Adult Summer Sizzler going on sale in August. This pass, available at Newton Abbot Leisure Centre, Dawlish Leisure Centre, Ashmoor Recreation Centre and Broadmeadow Sports Centre, will cost just £14, and entitles the holder to any 14 leisure centre activities (including an induction in the New Physique Fitness suite, usually costing £8)

Among the activities on offer are use of the indoor pools, exercise classes, fitness training sessions, badminton and squash sessions and use of the sauna and steam rooms.

Cllr Anne Fry Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Recreational Services said:

"This fantastic new offer is not to be missed! It's a wonderful way to start the summer - keeping the children entertained and parents busy.

"The Summer Sizzlers are a brilliant way to keep the family happy and healthy, and make the summer all the more fun. With activities working out at just £1 each, it's an ideal way to save some cash while getting the most out of the summer holidays.

"The whole family can enjoy a day of fun, from only £1 each, so why not come and join in!"