News in Dawlish

Dawlish's Brook Lights could shine on for several more weeks if town councillors get their way.

Teignbridge Council is due to switch them off at the end of February, but the Civic Amenities Committee has agreed to ask for an extension.

Residents of Weech Road are becoming increasingly frustrated by the latest developments relating to the semi-derelict Old Vicarage – saying they're still being excluded from all discussions on the building's future.

They're now preparing to submit a case to the Ombudsman, claiming that the feelings and opinions of people living near the 'eyesore' building are not being considered by the planning authority, Teignbridge District Council.

Electric car charging points are to be installed at the Barton Hill car park in Dawlish, with further chargers to be introduced elsewhere in the town at a later stage.

Teignbridge Council is planning to install the double rapid charger points there by this time next year, along with Newfoundland Way car park and Forde House in Newton Abbot, and Eastcliff car park in Teignmouth.

The number of coronavirus cases confirmed across Devon and Cornwall has fallen by a quarter in the last week, and is now at the lowest level since the start of December.

A total of 1,169 new cases were confirmed across the two counties in the last week as the total for the two counties now stands at 44,104 – the lowest weekly total for nine weeks.

I very much welcome the fact that the Government has allocated £.142m in funding to Devon County Council, in order to provide support for victims of domestic abuse and their children.

The money will fund a new duty on councils to ensure victims and their children who need it are able to access life-saving support such as therapy, advocacy and counselling in safe accommodation, including refuges. The duty will come into effect later this year, subject to the Domestic Abuse Bill becoming law.

'A budget to promote social and economic recovery and balance the books' will go before Teignbridge council later this month.

The financial plans approved by the Executive Committee include measures to set the district's economy on a course of recovery, as well as offsetting the income loss resulting from the year-long pandemic.

The CEO of VisitBritain, Sally Balcombe, writes for Nub News:

As we approach the February half term, a time when many of us would usually have been looking forward to a short break away, the impact on the industry and the economy from the loss of tourism again comes into sharp focus.

An online grants checker has been developed to help local businesses identify the financial support they could be entitled to claim as a result of Covid-19.

Although Teignbridge District Council has paid out millions of pounds to thousands of businesses over the past year, it believes that there are still some who have not claimed money which would help them cope with the impact of the pandemic.

An extra phone number for over 70s to book their Covid jab has gone live today and will be open until Sunday.

The number is 01626 204920 and can be used 9am-5pm from Friday, February 12 until Sunday, February 14 only.

More cash will be spent on pothole repairs across Devon if councillors back the proposed budget for the coming financial year.

An extra £600,000 will be added to the county council's roads budget under the proposed spending plan.