News from Teignbridge

Up to date information from Teignbridge Council during the Covid19 pandemic

Small Business News,Recycling, Newton Abbot, Market Trading, Beach visits

Covid-19 Support for Small Businesses

Next week will see the launch of new funding support designed to help Teignbridge small and micro businesses. Along with councils across Devon we are launching this financial initiative to support the local economy as the county begins to come out of lockdown. The new funding package is open to businesses who were trading on 11 March 2020 and which have not been eligible for any other grant, with the exception of the furloughed Job Retention Scheme and the self‐employed income support scheme.

Grants will range from £1,000 to £25,000 with all businesses required to meet the same evidence-based tests of need. The following will be prioritised for funding support, in line with Government requirements: Small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces. Regular market traders with fixed building costs, such as rent, who do not have their own business rates assessment Bed and Breakfasts which pay Council Tax instead of business rates Charity properties in receipt of Charitable Business Rates Relief which would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate Relief. Businesses can find out what information they need to gather to apply on our website and an online applicaton form will be added by Monday 8 June. We expect the first grants to be paid in week commencing 22 June. Applications will be dealt with in three separate segments so that funds are allocated to those who need them most first.  Businesses not successful within each segment will be rolled forward for another chance until all of the funds have been allocated.

Pressure on recycling collections

Due to large volumes of recycling, we are running behind on some collection rounds. If your area is missed, please leave your containers out and we will collect them as soon as possible.

As a result of lockdown and many more people being at home, there has understandably been a rise in online shopping.  The amount of cardboard we are collecting has consequently risen by approximately 50 per cent, meaning that our recycling vehicles have to return to the bulking station to empty more frequently. You can help us keep to schedule by flattening your cardboard to fit into your green box (we are unable to collect recycling that is not contained within your boxes)

If you have larger boxes please spread them over a few collections or take them to your nearest recycling bank.

Restrictions easing at recycling centresDevon County Council is continuing to ease restrictions at recycling centres.  Some restrictions remain in place to allow for social distancing, so please be aware that delays are likely and check the latest information before visiting.

Views Wanted on Transformation of Newton Abbot

Now is the chance to have your say on new plans to transform Newton Abbot town centre, as part of a major redevelopment plan set to boost the economy and increase the profile of the town.

The multi-million-pound Future High Streets Fund will inject a much-needed cash boost into the local economy and transform the town for residents and visitors.

Our plans feature a major redevelopment of Market Hall, Market Square and the old Alexandra cinema, to include a new eating quarter, a state of the art cinema, a remodelled entertainment and events venue and a high quality market space. They also include pedestrian improvements and the addition of greenery in the Queen Street area, cycling improvements for better links to shopping facilities and increased parking at Cricketfield car park.

Government funding will be match funded by other partners, including Devon County Council, which is contributing towards road infrastructure improvements to create better routes for walking and cycling into the town.

Residents, traders and other local stakeholders are invited to have their say on the proposals before the end of June.

Market Trading in Newton Abbot

Outdoor markets can now reopen and non-essential retail can operate from 15 June, so we are making gradual changes at Newton Abbot market to make sure it operates safely while being able to meet customer demands.

Following discussion with the traders, the Food Hall, which was operating safely from 8am to 1pm Monday to Saturday, is experimenting on Wednesday and Saturday with an hour’s extension until 2pm.

Discussions have taken place with traders about reopening the outdoor market from 3 June and the indoor Market Hall from Monday 15 June.  Enforcing social distancing rules will be essential for the safety of traders and customers  Please keep an eye on our website and social media for further updates.

Respecting our Beaches

If visiting our beaches and open spaces please do the right thing and respect our local environment. Our staff, and some local residents, collected the equivalent of 500 wheelie bins of discarded litter from beaches and open spaces after the weekend, including glass bottles, cans, disposable barbecue trays which are an extreme fire risk in this dry weather. Dog walkers should respect the dogs on beach bans that are currently  in place. Dog wardens will be issuing fines for anyone found breaching the bylaws that prevent dogs on beaches throughout the summer season. Anyone can report incidences of littering by completing the reporting form.  Dogs on beaches and dog fouling can be reported by email or using the reporting form.  Antisocial behaviour can be reported directly to the police.