Devon County Council announced that “Once again, we will be supporting the NHS at a walk-in vaccination clinic in Dartmouth later this week. We will be offering Covid-19 vaccinations and supporting advice, for all eligible age group, in accordance with current guidance, on:
Thursday, 7 July, 2022
11.00 am – 5.30 pm
Dartmouth Community Café, Market Square, Dartmouth TQ6 9SE”
The first of 80 new Electric Vehicle (EV) charge points planned for 38 public car parks across Devon are now ready for public use in Dartmouth’s Mayors Avenue Car Park.
EV charge points at the South Hams District Council owned car park are now available to be used by the public. It’ll be possible to charge two vehicles at one time; the two charging bays are fully accessible, converted from three regular parking spaces, available for the sole use of electric vehicle charging.
Cllr Tom Holway, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said: “Since declaring our Climate Emergency, South Hams District Council has been committed to working with our partners through the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group to aim to reduce carbon emissions across the South Hams district to net zero by 2050.
“Infrastructure projects such as this are vital to being able to reach that goal. We need to be able to encourage residents and visitors alike to make more sustainable choices; projects like these facilitate those choices and help to make net zero a realistic and achievable target.”
The charging point scheme is being rolled out across 38 public car parks in the county over the next 12 months. The scheme is being delivered through a partnership of Devon County Council, South Hams District Council, West Devon Borough Council, North Devon Council, Teignbridge District Council, East Devon District Council and ScottishPower on behalf of Devon Climate Emergency (DCE).
The remaining sites will be installed in phases this summer.
Powered by the renewable energy through a green tariff, the charge points are compatible with all makes of EVs and will fully charge a 50 kWh battery in two to four hours, providing a range of up to 200 miles depending on vehicle specification.
The rate of charge is dictated by the vehicle’s inverter however these chargers can deliver enough electricity for up to 88 miles of travel in one hour. This means the points are ideal for both shorter stops, such as shopping trips, and regular charges by residents. As these points are for public use, they are also available for visitors of Devon wishing to charge their electric vehicle.
The cost to fully charge a 50 kWh battery, providing a range of up to 200 miles, would be in the region of £17.50.
Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport said:“When seeking to reduce Devon’s carbon emissions it is essential that we provide the tools which will enable our residents to access certain lifestyle changes. On-road transportation makes up a large percentage of Devon’s carbon emissions, meaning taking petrol and diesel cars off the roads could make a significant impact towards our goal of net zero by 2050.
“Providing reliable electric vehicle charging points helps us to facilitate our community’s involvement in reducing their personal carbon footprints, from which everyone will benefit.”
ScottishPower’s Smart Solutions Director, Chris Carberry said: “ScottishPower is excited to be working with Devon and all the project partners involved in the Deletti programme. This is one of many such projects that demonstrates our commitment to speeding up the transition to cleaner electric transport, improving air quality and over time, driving down cost, all to deliver a better future, quicker for everyone.”
Through the scheme, nine car parks in the South Hams will get new charging points, including in Totnes, Kingsbridge, Salcombe and Modbury.
These charging points are part of the larger DELETTI programme, a £1.3 million project which is being largely funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
It’s an essential part of Devon’s Carbon Plan, the county’s road-map to net-zero, which is being published by the DCE this summer.
The Plan calls for the ‘decarbonisation’ of on-road transportation which causes almost 30 per cent of Devon’s carbon emissions.
Police, investigating reports of a phone scam which has led to two people in their 80’s handing over substantial sums of money, are appealing for information.
Officers are also warning residents in Devon to be vigilant of the scam, in which the caller is pretending to be a police officer.
Detectives say they have had an increased number of calls about this scam over the past few weeks – particularly in the Exeter, South Devon and the Plymouth areas.
In one case, the victim was persuaded to hand over more than £15,000, and more than £9,000 in another case.
As part of the scam, they were also asked to provide some of the money in foreign currency or purchase expensive watches only to then hand over.
It has been reported that the male caller pretends to be a person called ‘Sergeant Martin Spencer’ from the police in London, and he is investigating the unauthorised use of the person’s bank card.
He also advised that they should not tell anyone about the call, as it may jeopardise the police investigation.
Detective Inspector Guy Biggar said: “We are advising anyone who receives such a call not to give any personal information and hang up immediately.
“This type of call can be linked to courier fraud, where victims will be encouraged to withdraw funds from their bank account or give bank cards to a courier, arranged by the ‘police officer’ making the call under the guise of ‘assisting with a police investigation’.
“We will never contact people to ask for banking information or request that they withdraw money from an account to aid an investigation.”
He went on to say: “Fraudsters often target geographical areas where they know elderly or vulnerable people live, so we are asking that if you have family or friends who are vulnerable in any way, that you make them aware of this scam.”
If you have any information that could help the police with their enquiries or know someone who has received a call of this nature, please email 101@dc.police.uk or call 101, quoting CR/049562/22.
A spokesperson for South Hams District Council, said: “The Council has taken legal advice and has written to FCC demanding that they rectify the situation as a matter of priority. The situation has gone on far too long and it urgently requires a resolution for residents.
“Unfortunately, the Council is unable to provide further details at this stage, but they will provide an update as soon as they are able to.
“At all stages, the Council has sought to work with the contractor to improve and resolve the situation.”
This was issued in response to a previous press statement issued by FCC Environment Limited.
During the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Holiday, and the subsequent week, the dates for the collection of waste and recycling across the South Hams will change. East Portlemouth’s normal collection on Thursday 2nd June moves to Saturday 4th and the next week’s Thursday 9th June to Friday 10th. Things should return to normal on Thursday 16th June. See the SHDC table below:
Devon and Cornwall Alerts have warned us:
Action Fraud have received 752 reports, in four days, relating to fake emails purporting to be from OFGEM. The emails state that the recipient is eligible for a rebate as a result of a newly announced government scheme. The links in the emails lead to genuine-looking websites that are designed to steal your personal and financial information.
Please view the tweet below to see a screenshot of the fake emails reported to Action Fraud:
CyberProtectUK Twitter OFGEM fake
The Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Parish Council Meeting will be held in
the Village Hall on Tuesday 10 May, beginning at 7pm.
Drinks will be served from 6.30pm.
Do come along to hear about the work of your Parish Council in the past year and to raise any issues you feel the Council needs to know about.
For further information, please contact: clerk@eastportlemouth.org.uk
Council responses to Local Democracy article https://www.radioexe.co.uk/news-and-features/local-politics/nonagenarian-councillor-walks-out/ are as follows:
The first was from Cllr Keith Baldry in response to an incorrect statement about garden waste being suspended again:
South Hams District Council’s Cllr Keith Baldry, Executive Member for Environment, said: “To be clear, the garden waste is not being postponed as suggested in recent newspaper articles. Our contractors FCC Environment are working to mobilise as many rounds as possible on a daily basis and to collect all waste collections as they can with the resources available. Where rounds aren’t able to be sent out, priority will be given to household collections of refuse and recycling collections.
“Before the garden waste service was restarted South Hams asked FCC for an assurance that they had a strong plan to deal with garden waste collections. We were given that assurance.
“Locally our officers continue to challenge FCC daily. Our Leadership Team are meeting with FCC at their highest level to press on them the urgent improvements needed to deliver the quality waste service our residents deserve.”
The second was from Cllr John Birch in response to O & S Committee:
South Hams District Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairman, Cllr John Birch, said: “Cllr Pennington, at last Thursday’s O&S meeting, sought to raise the issue of the Council’s problems in respect of the waste collection service provided by its contractor, FCC. This item was not on the agenda for discussion and furthermore Cllr Pennington had not made any request to have it dealt with as an urgent item.
“Following the conclusion of the committee’s discussion on the standards of behaviour and conduct expected of councillors Cllr Pennington sought to introduce the issue of waste collection. The Council’s constitution does not allow for such unannounced matters to be introduced or discussed and I was left with no alternative but to ask Cllr Pennington not to continue. Unfortunately, he persisted and I was left with no alternative but to warn him he would be asked to leave the meeting. At that stage he left the meeting.
“To be effective in one’s representation there is a time and place to make one’s voice heard. The meeting on Thursday was not the proper time and place.”
From Kingsbridge Town Council
The A381 will be closed in West Allington on Saturday the 30th April 2022 and Sunday 1st May 2022 to complete some essential network upgrades on behalf of Openreach.
This Road closure, from the junction of Lower Street to the entrance of Kingsbridge Cricket club – see below, is planned to be in place between 08:00 and 17:00 on both Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May. The alternate route is via Churchstow.
Due to the Easter Holidays, the dates for the collection of waste and recycling across the South Hams will change. East Portlemouth moves from Thursday 21st April to Friday 22nd April. See the SHDC table below:
