Phil Bullivant
TDC Councillor for Bradley Ward Newton Abbot
Monthly update
August 2017
I was delighted to go down to and provide support for the ‘Picnic on the Green’ in Larkspur Drive organised by residents. The creation of a ‘community’ requires that local people come together to meet, understand each other and know who their neighbours are. This event built upon the success of the Easter Egg Hunt and will no doubt grow with the planned Halloween activity! Thanks must go Heather, Sally and the team who made this such a successful event. I look forward to the end of October and am sharpening my teeth as I write this!
The planned development for Houghton Barton has been going through the council planners this month. Over 150 pages of comments and questions have been raised that require analysis and consideration before the final framework document can be considered by councillors in October.
The planned cycle and footpath improvements along the A383 (Ashburton Road) has raised a number of questions from local residents, nearly all are in agreement however there are a few houses where the removal of trees and bushes will impact. I have been working with them to see what mitigation is possible.
The planned changes to traffic in Highweek village are going ahead, the work schedule from the DCC contractors has allocated the last week of November for completion, so this will be the date for the road closure and one-way system in Pitt Hill.
The Linden Homes development is still with the planners for final approval, but initial surveys and ground works as required are expected to begin by the end of the year with the first homes being completed at the end of 2018.
I am also pleased to note that the final completion of Broadband to the Fairways through BT box 21 has taken place on schedule as discussed at our Village Hall meeting with BT last October.
On the wider front, there has been a leak of the first plans for the improvements planned for the town centre. (Don’t believe everything you read in the Newspapers!) Unfortunately, the disclosure of confidential information provided to one of the opposition groups in TDC has resulted in an estimated £50k of additional costs to TDC. As a result, it is going to be more difficult to release information in the future.
Despite this, the plans for how the town centre improvements are moving forward and it is expected that the wider plans will be available in November for public scrutiny. The key principles driving the plans are to give Newton Abbot an enhanced shopping experience with investment in new buildings, an expanded night time economy and better parking arrangements.
To give you an idea of the investments being planned for Teignbridge, over the last 12 months TDC has seen investment of over £20 million in strategic areas.
The council’s plans contained in its 10 year Strategic Plan are intended to deliver a wide range of benefits to all residents and these 10 year plans have targeted investment of over £233 million,
With £70 million targeted for Newton Abbot, £10 million for Kingsteignton and £4 million for Kingkerswell. Strategic Investment of over £51 million is also planned across the whole of Teignbridge. The ability of TDC to deliver these investments depends upon a number of factors, however the funding streams have been identified (Grants, Levies, Developer payments etc). It is essential that any investment of these types are correctly managed and do not become a burden on TDC Council Tax payers.
The council’s quarterly performance review was considered by the council committee, with targets being met or exceeded in nearly all areas. (full details are on the TDC web site)
It is pleasing to see that Teignbridge has the highest waste recycling rate in the whole of Devon, and has nothing now going to lands fill.
The new County Park in Dawlish was successfully opened (after a 24 hour delay because of the rain!) Over 300 people came and enjoyed the day’s activities. The park will be a major asset for Teignbridge and provide a pleasant green space for residents to enjoy. (A similar facility is part of the Houghton Barton plans)
A key requirement for any council is the provision of support for the homeless or people in danger of becoming homeless. Since being appointed to the review group covering Teignbridge and Exeter some 2 years ago, we have put in place policies that have seen a significant improvement in service levels with the numbers of people receiving appropriate support almost tripling, from 160 per quarter 2 years ago to over 500 in the last quarter. There has been a fairly constant level of demand so the increased level of people avoiding homelessness is a genuine achievement.
As usual,
If there is anything you would like to discuss, please call or email,
Regards
Phil Bullivant
07768355544
(the views expressed in this letter are my personal opinions)