Devon and Cornwall Police have issued guidance on Halloween this year in light of the Coronavirus pandemic and to help protect the vulnerable.  

Due to the ‘rule of six’ which applies indoors and outdoors, gatherings that exceed this limit, such as traditional Halloween parties and social events, cannot take place this year. 

Police and partner agencies are encouraging trick-or-treaters to stay at home in order to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Some people, particularly if elderly or vulnerable, might be distressed by strangers knocking at their door during the evening - even more so during a global pandemic.

Print this poster and display on your home, or on the homes of your vulnerable neighbours or relatives.

Halloween at home – alternatives to trick or treating for families and young children

• Organise a Halloween themed scavenger hunt around your house or garden.
• Arrange a virtual fancy dress party online and invite your friends and family.
• Out-boo your neighbours and have a window decorating competition.
• Get creative in the kitchen. Go online to find the recipes for spooky snacks.
• Decorate your living room and create your own scary cinema.
• Play Halloween inspired games with your friends and family.
• Try safely carving a pumpkin and share images with your friends.

Have you tried the Halloween puzzle?

Devon and Cornwall Police

Since its launch on Monday 20th April, a record number of 910 non perishable food items, £10 in cash and a £300 grant from Slapton Parish Council have been donated to the Slapton Foodbank collection point by our wonderful community of parishioners and holiday visitors.  A big thank you to everyone who has contributed food items and time to make this possible.

We are now appealing to our community again to help with a challenge to reach 1000 non perishable food items by the 15th December so that our local foodbanks can distribute much needed food to our local communities in time for the Christmas period.

The Slapton Foodbank collection point and volunteers continue to work hard to provide essential resources to our local foodbanks during this continuing difficult time.

The foodbank drop off point is managed by Cllr Shirley Sullock and donations are being split equally between Dartmouth and Kingsbridge foodbanks and are very kindly being taken each week by volunteers Shirley and Will Sullock and David Goodwin. Steve and Vanessa who are managers at the campsite & Matt a local parishioner, also delivered and offered invaluable support during lockdown.

As you now hopefully know, our local foodbanks do so much more than provide food, such as emergency top-ups for mobile phones and key meters, providing a listening ear with practical help to access help with rent, council tax arrears, claiming benefits and signposting to information.

Should you wish to make a contribution, no matter how large or small, read the useful guides below which list what non perishable items are required, how to donate much needed cash and an overview of their services.

More information on our local foodbanks:

• Click here to read and print the foodbank shopping list
• Click here to read how to donate money
• Click here to read about the services of our local foodbanks

Food Bank Drop of Point Opening Hours located at Slapton Village Hall:

• Monday: 1pm - 3pm
• Thursday: 10am - 12pm

Thank you everyone for your continued support and just to mention our amazing village shop and volunteers who continue to be there for us all during this very challenging period and perhaps to purchase a few spare items for the foodbank drop-off point from the sho[ as you are shopping/passing by as this really does help to make a difference to both the shop as well as the Foodbanks and local communities.

Julie Hinder, Chair Slapton Parish Council

Issued: 21 October 2020

Cutting-edge ‘rapid’ Electric Vehicle (EV) charge points have now been commissioned for public use at three council car parks in South Hams and Teignbridge.
From this week EV users can charge their electric vehicles at Ivybridge’s Glanvilles Mill car park, the Chudleigh Library car park and at Buckfastleigh’s Mardle Way car park.

The £175,000 project is a partnership of Devon County Council (DCC), South Hams District Council and Teignbridge District Council has been made possible by funding from Highways England.

The ‘rapid’ charge points are among the fastest chargers available - EVs should have an 80 per cent charge within 30 minutes, and will be operated by SWARCO and compatible with all EVs currently on the market.

This scheme is the latest example of Highways England’s Designated Funding programme assisting local authorities to improve air quality across the country, helping DCC and district councils to work together to deliver EV charging points along the A38 in Devon.

Currently DCC and the district councils are working to deliver the government-funded Deletti project, the first phase of which aims to deliver at least 25 charging points in public carparks across the county from early next year.

And DCC is working with the private sector on the government-funded ‘Street Hubz’ project which aims to deliver at least 100 on-street EV charging points in Exeter from next year.

All three projects are part of local authority efforts to help reduce carbon emissions in Devon. Last year DCC declared a ‘climate emergency’ and formed the Devon Climate Emergency Response Group (DCERG).

The DCERG is a group of 25 influential business groups, public sector bodies and councils - including South Hams District Council, Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council.

They are working together to reduce carbon emissions and create a Devon Carbon Plan – a road map to carbon neutrality.

South Hams District Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, Cllr Keith Baldry, said: “It’s really important to us to deliver as many electric vehicle charging points across the District as quickly as we can. The charging points in Ivybridge are a good starting point towards us reducing our carbon footprint. They are perfect for the town but also for travellers on the nearby A38 corridor. We are committed to our Climate Change and Biodiversity Plan and have already started to change over some of our fleet to electric vehicles.”

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “I recognise the difficulty in encouraging more people to use electric cars until there are more charging points and that’s why we are working closely with our district and government partners to deliver charge points in prime locations such as this.

“While the government has committed to banning the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2040, we want more people to start using electric vehicles long before that. Fewer petrol and diesel cars will lead to a reduction in emissions, cleaner air and an improved quality of life for all residents.”

Highways England Project Sponsor Brian Cull said: “We’re pleased to be working with councils across the country to make more provision for drivers making the switch to electric, and over 95% of England’s motorways and major A-roads are now within 20 miles of an electric vehicle charging point.

“The charging points will help drivers of electric vehicles make longer, cleaner journeys and reduce the anxiety of potentially running out of power.

“Elsewhere in the South West, we have already funded charging points along the A303 in Somerset, and this is another example of how we are using designated funding to benefit the environment and communities alongside our roads, as well as the people travelling and working on them.”

Councillor Jackie Hook, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive Member for Climate Change, said: “These two EV charging sites in Teignbridge mark a major milestone in our commitment to move to a more sustainable mode of transport, and we’re grateful to our partners at Devon County Council and Highways England for their contribution to this. Use of electric vehicles will be part of the solution to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future, alongside increased use of cycling and walking, and better public transport links. We want to promote the use of all these modes of transport through improved facilities and increased safety, to give our residents more ways to reduce their carbon footprint.”

www.southhams.gov.uk.

Please be aware that telephone calls to and from the Council may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.

If you are required by law to self-isolate because you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID- 19, and you are on a low income, you may be supported through a payment of £500, which would be administered by your local Council.

For people who are facing hardship because they have been contacted by NHS Track and Trace and are required to self-isolate for 14 days, the Government has launched a grant to support scheme. If you are working, and on a low income, and are unable to work from home, you may be eligible to claim the grant worth £500.

Cllr Tony Leech, West Devon Borough Council’s Lead Member for health and wellbeing said: “These grants will help support people most at risk of financial hardship and provide a degree of security for those needing to self-isolate. There are a range of other measures that the Council may be able to offer households who are finding things difficult, so if you are experiencing difficulties, please make contact with us. Cllr Jonathan Hawkins, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for health and wellbeing added: “It is looking like there is a challenge ahead of us all, we must help to control the COVID virus and stop it spreading. This payment will enable those people who would otherwise not be able to afford to self-isolate, protect others and play their part.”

You can apply for the Test and Trace Support Payment of £500, if you meet the following criteria:

• You are over 16 and have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace on or after 28 September 2020
• You are employed or self-employed
• You cannot work from home and will lose income as a result
• You are currently receiving at least one of the following benefits:
• Universal Credit
• Working Tax Credit
• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income Support
• Housing Benefit and/or
• Pension Credit

If you fail to comply with the Test and Trace isolation rules – not self-isolating following a positive test result for COVID-19, or if you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace and instructed to self-isolate because you are a contact of someone who has had a positive test result – you could face a fine. If you test positive for COVID-19, it will also be an offence to knowingly provide false information about your close contacts to NHS Test and Trace. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in a fine of up to £10,000.

If you are facing financial hardship, please get in touch with your local council who may be able to help or signpost you in the direction of an organisation who can support you. You can find your local Councillor through the Council’s website: South Hams www.southhams.gov.uk/article/3703/Town-Parish-Councils
West Devon www.westdevon.gov.uk/article/3703/Town-Parish-Councils

You can find out more information on the Councils webpage:  www.southhams.gov.uk/test-and-trace-payments