The planning application for Kerswell Farm in Exminster was rejected today (Monday) at Teignbridge’s development control meeting, writes cllr Alan Connett who spoke and voted against the application. 

Two new homes in Teignbridge are set to provide victims of domestic abuse with secure, supported accommodation in the district. 

The Safe House, a joint project between Teignbridge District Council and Teign Housing, is opening this month following extensive work creating the two self-contained, secure flats.  The Safe House will enable victims of domestic abuse to live securely and independently, but with full support available to help them.

The development of the safe accommodation has been carried out in consultation with the Police and other agencies.  It has been completed as part of ongoing work on housing issues by the Teignbridge Strategic Partnership (TSP), a group of leading public, private and community organisations which work together to achieve common aims and objectives.  The project has been made possible with a grant of £40,000 from Teignbridge Council and funding of £100,000, as well as the provision of the properties for conversion, by Teign Housing.

The planned move of Upper GI cancer treatment from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital to Derriford in Plymouth has been referred to the Secretary of State for Health.

After months of waiting for reassurances about how patients would be looked after and special arrangements made for carers and families with regard to travel and overnight accommodation, if needed, the patience of councillors finally snapped today (18 November).

Members of the Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee at Devon County Council, on which I serve, felt they had no option but to refer the whole proposed transfer of service to the Secretary of State.

Councillors were seeking to ensure help was available to assist patients in travelling to Plymouth, treatment information and much more. Many members felt the NHS simply had not responded adequately.

We even learned that Consultants at the RD&E who are supposed to be part of the new set-up at Derriford hadn’t even received written confirmation or contracts for the new arrangements – due to start in just a few weeks time on January 1.  We’ll have to see what happens next.  Cllr Alan Connett.      

Following the work of the independent Credit Crunch Commission, set up by Teignbridge  Council, a £10,000 grant was made to Teignbridge Outreach Benefits Service.   

In the period between April and October this year,  the service dealt with 174 requests for help and advice.  Benefits of £8,095.00 a week have been identified and claimed for local people and the outcomes of around 70 further claims are awaited.

Many enquiries deal with or result in an entitlement to one or more benefit being identified.  It is also known that where income to vulnerable households is maximised, economic hardship is reduced.  This increases the amount of money available to be spent in the local area, which in turn supports the local community.

Feedback from people indicates that they feel  ‘a huge weight has been lifted’ and they are better able to cope and feel more supported.  Where it is relevant, people are also directed to other services that may also be able to help.

The £85,000 village centre highways scheme was approved this afternoon (Thursday) by members Devon County Council representing areas in Teignbridge, writes Cllr Alan Connett. 

I am hopeful that work will start in February, but that is subject to confirmation. 

Councillors approved the recommendations presented by the Highways officers. These are pretty much based on the results of the consultation event in the village, responses to the various traffic orders and close working with Exminster Parish Council.  

Some residents had asked for the 20mph to be extended at the Exeter end of the village past Reddaway Drive. This was opposed by Highways officers, because it would be outside the County Council’s policy, and also by the Police.  

If councillors had voted to extend the 20mph limit it would have meant re-advertising the Traffic Order and the scheme being delayed with the possibility that funding could have been lost. 

However, I pressed for some action because of the concerns about speed in that section of the village. As a result, highways officers will now be looking at the possibility of putting in a mini-roundabout at the Reddaway Drive junction (the one close to Exminster Garage). If it passes a safety audit and funding is available, a roundabout would not need a separate traffic order and could be progressed as part of the overall scheme.

The long awaited traffic scheme for Exminster, costing £85,000, could get the green light on Thursday 

Exminster has been pressing for measures will make it safer for children to walk to school and to ease peak-time congestion and parking problems in the centre of the village. 

County councillors will consider a final report from

The scheme includes widened footways, waiting restrictions, a 20 mph zone and raised crossings in an effort to help pedestrians and motorists, especially in the busy and narrow section of the village close to the shops. 

Cllr Connett explained:” The scheme has been wanted for a long time and over the past year there has been a good partnership between the Highways engineers and Exminster Parish Council, which has resulted in this scheme. 

“Two incidents involving children have been reported over the past couple of years and the plan includes raising the height of the pavement opposite the shops so, for example, it is difficult for vehicles to mount the path when they reverse out of parking spaces or pass this narrow section of road.” 

A public exhibition in July attracted 180 residents with 120 submitting written comments to Devon County Council about the proposals. Councillors have been told that 80% support the footway widening measures and over 60% backed waiting restrictions. There were also some modifications to the plans as a result of the views given, added Cllr Connett. 

More recently, when the final proposals were advertised, the county council received nine objections about shortening the 20mph zone at the

Work is shortly due to start on a small viewing platform along the Exe Estuary Cycleway near to the Turf Locks pub. In partnership with Exeter City Council and the RSPB, Devon County Council is constructing a small kidney-shaped raised platform/open bird hide which will look out over Exminster marshes approximately 500m north of the pub.

It is a simple timber construction which will eventually have two interpretation panels inside it, describing the local wildlife and include a map of the full cycleway, the county council has advised Cllr Connett.

Exminster Primary School’s urgent need for a new four classroom extension was highlighted this week.

Devon County Council has scrapped a project in Exeter and finds itself with just over £4million to invest in education scheme. Most of it is going to Teign School and Shaldon Primary.

However, there is a spare £800,000. I have asked the county to make £500,000 available now to Exminster so its vital extension can go ahead, along with the £290,000 that will come from developers Midas who have permission to buoild houses at Milbury Farm.

Council Leader John Hart promised he would look at the situation to see what could be done. Fingers crossed!

Conservatives on Devon County Council have voted to spend £50,000 on supporting Plymouth’s bid to host part of the World Cup - either the next one or the one after.

However, the county continue to argue that there is no money to fund a replacement youth worker so that the Youth Club in Starcross can be opened again.

I continue to press for more support for Starcross Youth Club and yesterday asked the decision making members of the county council Cabinet to fund a new purpose built Youth Centre for the village, as promised a year ago by a senior youth service manager.