Petition by Sir Geoffrey Cox to obtain more funding for maintenance of Devon’s roads

Our MP has asked all parish and town councils in his constituency to circulate his petition to Parliament to secure more funding for the maintenance  of Devon’s road network.

If you wish to sign the petition, copies can be found at the Mary Tavy Post Office & Stores and at the Mary Tavy Inn. Signed petition forms will be collected and forwarded to Sir Geoffrey towards the end of January 2024

A copy of Sir Geoffrey’s covering letter is attached below.

Land In Mary Tavy For A New Parish Cemetery

The current Mary Tavy parish cemetery is nearly full.

While the Parish Council has no legal obligation to provide a cemetery, the results of a survey of parishioners carried out in November 2021 showed the majority of respondents (67%) would like burials to continue in the parish. To try to fulfil this need the Parish Council has been searching for land suitable for a new cemetery.

In recent months a land owner has approached the Parish Council with an offer of a piece of land and we are pleased to announce that a purchase price has now been agreed, subject to survey results, planning permission, etc. The plot of land is approximately 0.5 of an acre in area and is located close to St Mary’s Church.

With a lot of work still to do to prove the viability of the new cemetery land, the Parish Council has formed a working group comprising councillors and non-councillors to progress the project. If anyone is interested in being considered for membership of the working group and feel they can contribute to the development of the cemetery, please contact the Parish Clerk, Katherine Anness ()

Thermal Imaging Cameras

West Devon Borough Council has recently purchased 4 thermal imaging cameras that are available for householders to borrow to carry out heat loss surveys on their properties. WDBC have also provided a link to Energy Saving Devon (https://www.energysavingdevon.org.uk/) so that householders can explore ways of improving the thermal efficiency of their homes.

WDBC has asked parish councils and other community groups to act as local organisers for loan of the cameras rather than have individuals approach WDBC directly.

Mary Tavy Parish Council would like to hear from anyone in the parish who is interested in borrowing a camera for a day. If there is sufficient interest, we will request the loan of a camera from WDBC and develop a timetable for householders to borrow the device. The Parish Council has been told it can borrow a camera for about 2 weeks at a time, subject to availability.

If you are interested in borrowing a camera, please contact Cllr Jo Macaskie on:

Tamar Energy Fest Event: November 11th

Tamar Energy Community’s annual Tamar Energy Fest is back on in the Butchers’ Hall, Tavistock on Saturday 11th Nov from 10.00 to 15.00.

It’s an excellent opportunity to find out more about household grant and loan funding to assess, upgrade and plan for improved household Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings. Better EPC ratings mean homes are warmer, better prepared for wet winter weather and waste less energy on heating and hot water.

Much of the funding support is provided by WDBC and DCC to reduce energy costs of locals residing in out-dated dwellings. The NEA (National Energy Action) charity is a national effort to tackle fuel poverty via TEC clinics and assessments in local venues and TEC is out in local communities educating and supporting all tenures directly via our Home Energy Advisors (HEAs).

 

West Devon Borough Council Consultation On Control Of Dogs

West Devon Borough Council are running a consultation on control of dogs within the borough. The survey is open until 14th November. To participate in the survey go to: https://wdbc-dogcontrol.commonplace.is/

 

How To Report A Pothole On Roads In Devon

With winter not too far away it’s a good time to report any potholes that meet Devon County Council Highways Dept intervention criteria.

If a pothole is on a road maintained by Highways and is over 40mm deep, over 300mm wide and has a steep side then Highways should put it on their list for action. A full description of potholes that meet their criteria can be found at: https://www.devon.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/report-a-problem/report-a-pothole/

If you think a pothole meets these criteria you can report it at: https://www.devon.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/report-a-problem/map/map_src/poth/ . Once on this website, you can drag the map to centre over the area with the pothole and then zoom in until the map is expanded sufficiently to drop a “pin” at the location of the pothole. You will then be asked to provide details, including photos if available. By entering your contact details on the report, you will be kept up to date on the assessment and any action that is scheduled. Should you find the pothole has already been reported by someone else, you can still add your contact details & so be kept up to date on any actions.

SAFETY NOTE: PLEASE do not endanger yourself or other road users when gathering details of any pothole. It is better to estimate the size of a pothole from a safe location and report it without photos than to risk an accident, injury, or worse by being on an active highway.

 

 

Energy Efficiency Improvements To Your Home

Here is a useful link to energy saving advice, available grants, etc for your home:

Energy Saving Devon

Available funding and grants change from time to time. The people at Energy Saving Devon are happy to give advice and will know which grants are available at any given time.

Advance Notice Of Road Closures In Mary Tavy

Notification from Kier Group:

Notification of Road closure for Essential works – Scheme Name: Mary Tavy – Permit reference: LM903GE9977113-A1  & LM903GE9977113-A2 – Glanville reference: 14607

As part of our essential wastewater improvement work in the area, our contractors Glanville Environmental will shortly be working on the sewer network in your area.

The works will involve rehabilitation of sewer via excavation and lining methods between MH7801, and MH7001. We will start the works on Monday 16th October which will take approx. 1 week to complete. There will be a diversion in place whilst we complete the works .

What to expect:

To ensure the safety of our operatives and members of the public, whilst we carry out the works, we will be closing the section of road between Homer, and the JCT by Kent Barn for 2 days; We will close this section of road on Monday 16th October. Then we will close the section of road between the JCT by Kent Barn to outside Box Cottage/Half acre down from Mary Tavy and Brentor CP School for 4 days; We will close this section of road on Tuesday 17th October, with completion planned for Friday 20th October. We will maintain limited access to vehicles located within the closure, but please expect delays while these works are being carried out.

You may experience some increased level of noise during working hours. Sorry for any inconvenience that may be caused to you whilst we undertake this work.

If you require further assistance: If you need any advice or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Glanville Environmental Customer Liaison Officer, Helen Brett on 01752 690400

Alternatively, you call our Services Helpline on 0344 346 2020, lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

 

Let’s Talk Teenagers and Let’s Talk Pre-Teens Events

Let’s Talk Teenagers is an opportunity for you as a parent or guardian of a teenager(s) to hear about the challenges young people are facing today, and the tools you can use to support your children and community.

Tuesday 19th September 2023

• Teenage development including social and emotional changes

• Healthy and unhealthy relationships, including domestic abuse

• Body image

• Toxic masculinity

Tuesday 26th September 2023

• Community risks including county lines and gang crime

• Unhealthy relationships with a focus on child sexual exploitation and grooming

• Social media

• Safety planning

Tuesday 3rd October 2023

• Family strengthening

• How to have challenging conversations

• Role modelling

• Emotional wellbeing and self-care

 

Let’s Talk Pre-Teens is an opportunity for you as a parent or guardian of a young person aged approximately 9 to 12 years old to hear about the challenges they are facing today, and the tools you can use to support your children and community.

Please see below for details:

Thursday 21st September 2023

  • Biology
  • Difficult emotions
  • Substance misuse

Thursday 28th September 2023

  • Relationships
  • Exploitation
  • Pornography
  • Societal Stereotypes

Thursday 5th October 2023

  • Physical risks
  • Safety planning
  • Mental health
  • Self care

Visit www.devon.cc/letstalk  for more information on both events