Archive for category: News

Our Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Thursday 3rd April at the Coronation Hall. The meeting starts at 7pm. All members of the public are invited to attend.

There will be a report from the Chair of the Parish Council which will summarise the Council’s activities over the past year.
There will also be a financial report from our Parish Clerk.

As we did last year, we will keep a broad scope to the meeting, going beyond the normal council agenda items – in addition to council business, there will be the opportunity to hear updates on several topics including:
• The planned renovations to the Coronation Hall. Representatives of the Hall and Field Committee will be on hand to give a report and       answer questions
• Developments on the Down’s Garage site
• The conversion of the decommissioned Bal Lane phone box into a mini museum
• An update on Speedwatch activities in the parish
• Improvements to the permissive footpath/Jubilee Walk
• Nature projects
• The future of the Reading Rooms

We have also invited representatives from Mary Tavy and Brentor Primary School and the Dartmoor National Park Authority along with our County Councillor and West Devon Borough Councillor. While the local police are unable to attend, they are happy that we collect comments and questions from parishioners that we can then forward to them.

This is a great opportunity to not only hear what your Parish Council is doing but to ask questions of the Council and have informal discussions with representatives of local organisations and projects.

Free tea, coffee and biscuits will be available.

Our Parish Clerk will be on holiday from noon on Christmas Eve until Thursday 2nd January. If any urgent matter arises over the festive period please contact the Chair at or telephone 07919 442615

With the winter months approaching, West Devon Borough Council is doing all it can to help people with the cost of living, including the introduction of new payments from the Household Support Fund for those most in need.

Supporting West Devon residents through the ongoing cost of living crisis is a priority for the Council, especially during the winter months, when people are heating their homes, and costs can really begin to bite.

Cllr Jane Elliott, Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “We want to do whatever we can to support those in our community who are finding it difficult to cope with the cost of living.

“Our new support payments are targeted to help those most in need, including pensioners who might be worst affected by the cut to winter fuel payments and some households living in ‘system built’ or non-traditional houses who may be experiencing fuel poverty.

“If you think that you could benefit from the Household Support Fund, or need support of any kind this winter, please contact us.”

The Council is supporting four types of households in the borough with new £200 support payments this winter. These types of households are:

1. Single person households receiving Council Tax Reductions and not a state benefit
2. Single pensioners with income of up to £20 per week above the threshold for Pension Credit
3. Pensioner couples with income of up to £30 per week above the threshold for Pension Credit
4. Certain households in ‘system built’ houses who may be experiencing fuel poverty

The Council agreed to making these payments at its Hub meeting on 12 November.

The authority already distributes the Household Support Fund locally, which supports people who would otherwise struggle to buy food, pay essential utility bills or meet other essential living costs.

West Devon is also maintaining its commitment to support Devon County Council care leavers by providing a support payment of £500 to care experienced young people who either live in the Borough already or move to an address in the borough before 2 March next year.

The Council also works closely with Citizens’ Advice, who are dealing with people on the frontline, and helping them in any way they can.

South Hams and West Devon Councils have also appointed a new Cost of Living and Financial Support Officer to provide dedicated advice, signposting and support.

If you need help with the cost of living, please contact the Council on

You can also visit the Council’s online support directory, which will signpost you to services and organisations that could help, on www.westdevon.gov.uk/support-directory

A Message from West Devon Borough Council:

“”We believe that raising awareness of this initiative within the communities, it can significantly benefit residents who may be dealing with diabetes or prediabetes. Here are some key details about the class:

• Purpose: To provide support and guidance for individuals managing diabetes or prediabetes.
• Activities: The class will offer exercises led by expert instructors tailored to individual needs.
• Benefits: Participants will receive personalised attention to help them achieve better health outcomes, improve their fitness levels, and manage their condition more effectively.

At these sessions, you can meet our expert instructors and learn more about the program. This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss any concerns and understand how the group can support each individual’s journey towards better health.

We have prepared posters with all the necessary information, which we would appreciate you displaying in prominent locations within your parish. By doing so, you will help ensure that those who might benefit from this exercise class are aware of its availability.””