District Councillor’s Monthly Report
SHDC Councillor for Dartington & Staverton Ward: Cllr. Jacqi Hodgson
Attendance at meetings etc. as Ward Councillor / public representative. Date of Report: 12th April 2016
Thurs. 10th Mar SHDC Executive meeting: Reinvestment grants approved. Also discussion about changes to waste services in Devon (ie as part of the Devon partnership
SHDC Case Management: assignment of work to planning officers
SHDC meeting with Homelessness Officer regarding temporary arrangements during rebuild of shelter
Informal residents meeting in Totnes regarding housing and devolution issues across South Hams
Mon. 14th Mar. Vigil for the 5th anniversary of the war in Syria in Totnes Civic square.
Weds 16t Mar SHDC Development Management Committee: no applications in Staverton
Totnes Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group meeting
Thurs 17th Mar SHDC Overview & Scrutiny Committee: Income generation proposals, Locality Officer role and Our Plan SHDC Members Briefing: On new IT system South Devon Refugee Network event at Foxhole Dartington to celebrate preparations at white House
Fri 18th Mar Independent Local Government Association (LGA) meeting in Bristol re: Devolution
Sat 19th Mar Totnes & Dartington Neighbourhood Plans public exhibition and consultation about energy issues.
Mon 21st Mar Devon Association of Local Councils (DALC) meeting in Exeter: re Devolution
(Tues 22nd – Weds 30th away)
Fri. 1st April DCC South Hams HATOC (Highways and Traffic Orders Committee).
SHDC Opposition Group meeting with Steve Jordan SHDC CEO: asked about implications of SHDC Trading Company and Devolution bid
Mon. 4th Apr. SHDC Site Inspections: Ivybridge and Ermington
Weds 6th Apr. Staverton Parish Council Meeting
Thurs 7th Apr. SHDC Overview & Scrutiny Mtg – Bid to purchase Land & income generation proposals (confidential) SHDC Special Council meeting – ditto above (confidential) SHDC Executive Meeting – Amendment to air quality management area for Totnes – affects A385
Fri. 8th Apr. TRAYE (Totnes Rural Area Youth Outreach) TAP funded project – meeting with Kerry McCabe*
Mon. 11th Apr. TRAYE (Totnes Rural Area Youth Outreach) TAP funded project – meeting with Steering Group**
OTHER ISSUES
Neighbourhood Planning: See parliamentary briefing attached separately. Concerns that it may just give more bias to developers allowing neighbourhood plans to be overruled. The Summary states "allow for greater intervention by the Secretary of State in the process of making a neighbourhood plan”, also "Research by planning consultancy firm Turley from 2014 found that more than half of the draft plans published for consultation had ‘protectionist’ agendas and that many were openly anti-development”.
Brimhay: Permission to demolish bungalows 13 -18 has recently been sought by SDRHA. • I refused to give delegated permission for the following substantial reasons sent to SHDC Legal team and Planning Officers: “1. The requirement for an EPS licence regarding dormice is a condition of the planning permission for this application. Given the seriousness of the implications of this demolition, I.e. the likelihood of destruction of that the wildlife area where the dormice have habitat, demolition should not be permitted until Natural England have provided this licence.
As you may be aware Natural England have delayed the issuing of this licence until the outcome of the Judicial review.
2. As you may also be aware an alternative planning application has been formally submitted to SHDC a few weeks ago for this same site; that Planning application submitted on behalf of the community by the Parish Council, does not require destruction of the wildlife area within this development site and therefore does not require an EPS licence. On this basis the derogation tests required (under European Habitats legislation) that allow an EPS licence to be issued no longer can be applied to the planning application for this site. (I.e. A licence should not be issued and that planning permission cannot go ahead)
3. We are now in the closed season for wildlife protection; I.e. Bird nesting etc is protected during these months. The wildlife area at Brimhay has many nesting birds, it is also part of the Greater Horseshoe Bat consultation zone where protected bats emerging from hibernation and breeding will be using the protected area from foraging and commuting between habitats. On no account should these important wildlife areas be disturbed during the closed season
This proposed demolition on this site should not be permitted until all the above key issues have been concluded. “
• However SHDC have said that they can carry out this demolition under permitted development rights, but that this should not be implementation of their planning permission as they have not satisfied all of the conditions.
• I understand that if SDRHA do proceed they could be presented with a court injunction due to contempt of court.
CONSULTATIONS: Call for community transport nominations Devon County Council is calling for nominations for this year’s Community Transport Awards to honour those who have gone the extra mile for their passengers. Anyone working or volunteering in the community transport sector can be nominated by passengers, staff or volunteers. Info & nomination forms are available online at https://www.journeydevon.info/2016-awards/ or by emailing [email protected] or calling DCC Community Transport Team 01392 382123. Nominations must be submitted by Friday 22 April.
DIARY DATES:
Thurs 21st April 10am. SHDC Overview & Scrutiny Meeting at Follaton. (the public can attend as observers &/ or submit questions).
Thurs 27th April 2pm. Special SHDC Overview & Scrutiny Meeting at Follaton regarding the LECC and LEP (Chairman Chris Garcia to attend) (the public can attend as observers &/ or submit questions).
Thurs 5th May 2pm. SHDC Full Council – Annual Meeting
Monday 6th June at 12 noon - TRAYE (Totnes Rural Area Youth Outreach) TAP funded project – Steering Group mtg.
TRAYE Project: Update on progress February & March. Kerry McCabe, TRAYE Youth Worker 19th March 2016 FEBRUARY Marldon: • I attended the Marldon Parish Council Meeting and introduced myself and the project. • I have liaised with Fiona Bailey about the needs of the area and she has kindly said she will volunteer on Marldon youth sessions. • With Fiona's help, I organised an open evening in Marldon Village Hall. At the open evening I met with a young person and her mum who have been helpful in promoting the project to other young people. • I have made contact with 8 young people from Marldon and their parent/ carers and have been able to gain consent from them to meet with their sons and daughters to complete further consultation. • I met with 8 young people and their parent carers and took them for chips and drinks in Paignton. This was a great session which the young people enjoyed immensely and where I was able to get them to complete questionnaires regarding their needs. Their parent/ carers also completed questionnaires and told me their views about the youth project. I am currently collating this information so that I can form a data base for Marldon. • The next steps for Marldon will be a visit by the young people to the Totnes Youth Work provision. I will also be holding a Membership evening to collect the relevant medical and safety information before this trip takes place.
Dartington: • I have attended the Dartington Parish Council Meeting to introduce myself and the project. • I have met with Jan Povey who has kindly said that she will volunteer in the Dartington area. • I promoted the open evening by creating leaflets and posters which were given to young people on the school buses. • I held the open evening at the Meadowbrook Centre on 19th February but unfortunately no young people turned up. I did however meet with some people who were concerned about having a 'Youth Club' in Dartington. I had a good chat with Steve (Chairman of Meadowbrook) and he will take my ideas about the project to his committee. If they agree we can run a Youth Project in Meadowbrook we will run a few sessions and then review any issues or concerns. • My next steps for Dartington are to go into the schools (Keviccs, Steiner, Dartington Primary and Parks) to promote the project further. • I will also make contact with key community members (Jacqi has given me a list). It would be great to hear about any other contacts Parish Councillors may have. Thanks.
Staverton: • With the help of Michael and Cheryl Loverock I have planned an open evening which will take place on 17th March at the village hall. • I have sent promotional materials to Cheryl Loverock who has included these in the local magazine. • I have met with Sue who would like to volunteer in the Staverton area. She has agreed to help me run the open evening. • My next steps for Staverton will be to continue promoting the project and the open evening in the local schools. • I have also given a talk at the Totnes Rotary Club which was very well received. They have said that they would like to give the project some funding next year and would like me to continue updating them about how things are going. I will be accompanying the Rotary Club this week at Keviccs where they run their yearly Question Time with the young people.
As part of our consultation for this project, I have designed a survey for young people and their parent carers to complete to help me gain an understanding of their needs. This is the link: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/KRW6NTD
MARCH Marldon: This part of the project has progressed very positively and I have engaged with 8 young people aged 11-12 years old and two young people aged 13 and 14 years old. They have completed a needs assessment and have planned activities and trips for March and April time.
I am in contact with the young people's parent/ carers who have shown great interest in the project and the opportunities it will bring to the young people of Marldon. On Thursday 24th March, the young people from Marldon will be attending the Village Hall to complete relevant health, safety and medical forms. Here the young people will also choose a name for the project.
On Thursday 31st March, I will be taking the young people on their first planned trip, to Woodlands Leisure Park. We will be using Bob the Bus to transport us and the parent/ carers of the young people have agreed to pay for their tickets into the park. Throughout April the young people have chosen to try out youth provision in Totnes, such as the Sports session at the Pavilions and the Junior session at Rushbrook. We aim to complete two activities per month and to continue to plan trips during holiday times. I will continue to try to find space at Marldon Village Hall so that we can establish a base for the project. For the meantime, i feel it is important to continue building relationships with the young people who have shown interest and support them to try new activities.
The main outcomes from the needs assessment conducted were that young people in Marldon: • Felt safe in their community • Relied upon parent/ carers to transport them around. • Did not have much to do as their friends live far away. • Struggle with friendships, school and bullying. • Go to family and friends for support. • Feel isolated and lonely. • Would like to be involved in Youth Clubs, Projects, Holiday Activities and have a keen interest in going to Totnes Youth provision (this is due to many of their friends already attending the provision).
The young people from Marldon say that they would like to have a Youth Worker for: • Talking to confidentially. • Supporting them to plan activities and trips. • Creating a safe space to have fun.
Dartington: This area has been more difficult to engage and has needed more time to get going. I have been in contact with many parent/ carers of young people who live in Dartington and community members. There is much interest in the project but we have needed to change the venue to suit the young people's needs and to move things forward.
We have managed to secure a slot once a month in the Village Hall and will be holding another Open Evening on Wednesday 23rd March with the hope that young people and their parent/ carers will attend and share their ideas and thoughts. Although I haven't been able to engage with the young people here directly as of yet, they have however had their say through an online 'Survey Monkey' I designed. They say: • They feel very safe living in Dartington. • They rely on their parent/ carers to transport them to places. • They do not have much to do, worry about friendships and money. • Go to parent/ carers and family members for support. • Would like to see a Youth Club, Project or Cafe in their area. • Would like to go on trips and activities during school holidays.
The young people from Dartington say that they would like to have a Youth Worker to: • Help them learn new things • Provide trips and activities • Support them to try new things.
Staverton: We have had a great start in Staverton with the recent Open Evening being attended by both young people and their parent/ carers. There was great enthusiasm from all and lots of planning and consultation took place. From speaking with young people we have decided to run a Youth Club twice a month to fit in alternately with Broadhempton Youth Club who also run sessions twice a month. Young people have decided that they would like Youth Club to take place on a Thursday evening, with the first session being held at Staverton Courtroom and the second session at Landscove Hall. Having Michael and Cheryl Loverock present at the Staverton Open Evening, really brought a buzz to the event and raised both the profile and the engagement in an entirely positive way.
Through the needs assessment for Staverton, the young people fed back: • They feel very safe living in Staverton • There is 'not much to do' and there is a lack of friendships. • They rely on family members for help, support and transport. • They would like to see a Youth Club, Activities during school holidays and a Youth Disco. • They have also asked for sports sessions.
Summary: The project as a whole has really made some good inroads and I am progressing youth work in all three parishes. As expected, different dynamics in each community mean that each area is moving at a different pace. Most positive has been my work in Marldon Parish where I have engaged with young people and started planning with them the development of the project outcomes. In all areas however, positive work has commenced, I have conducted Open Evenings in each area and have many new leads to move forward. On another very positive note, I have been in contact with KEVICCS and have arranged to access free transport for my Holiday Activities in the future. I am also arranging lunch time drop-in sessions as a way of engaging positively with a larger cohort of young people from all three parishes.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information about the project. Thank you for your support.