Latest News 

Market Square Improvements - Designs and Comment Deadline

An exciting programme of improvements to uplift the appearance of Totnes Market Square has been agreed by South Hams District Council, in close partnership with Totnes Town Council. 

The enhancement programme designed by local architects Harrison Sutton Partnership, looks to deliver replacement bespoke steps with integrated planters and seating areas. The existing ramp will be widened and re-levelled and clad in oak sleepers with additional improvements to lighting. Mosaic art pieces produced by a local artist and school children will be included in the design, together with a new drinking water fountain.

The entire area will be resurfaced with the improvements being scheduled to avoid peak use in the summer season and during December when the Christmas Markets take place.

The timeline for the improvement projects will be phased over a 12 -18 month period starting in autumn 2019. The steps and ramp are to be completed in 2019 with the surfacing to follow in early 2020.

A tendering process will be undertaken early next year to appoint a contractor to carry out the works.

Cllr John Tucker, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to work in close partnership with Totnes Town Council to improve an important piece of public realm to the quality and standard it deserves. We are delighted help bring this scheme forward and know the improvements will further enhance the town. We will make sure that work will be carried out around key dates for the market area and developed with community use firmly in mind.”

Catherine Marlton, Totnes Town Council’s Town Clerk, said: “The Town Council undertook a Community Budgeting exercise in 2017 which showed just how important the public realm of Totnes is to residents, business owners and visitors. As a result the Town Council has entered into a partnership with SHDC to turn the original resurfacing of the Market Square into a larger scale upgrade of that area, which is high traffic for users and is also the location of the popular markets. I am hopeful that this project can bring real benefits and prove that Councillors are willing to respond and invest in priorities the community raise.”

The designs can be found here. The deadline for comments is 1st January 2019 - please drop comments into the Council Offices or email the Town Clerk at clerk@totnestowncouncil.gov.uk 

Gas Pipe Replacement Works - Road Disruption

Please see a link to a letter from Wales and West Utilities about gas pipe replacement works starting on 2nd January 2019 (expected to run until April 2019) affecting Plymouth Road, Smithfields, Broomborough Drive, Farwell Road, Western By-Pass and Cambrian Place. Gas Pipe Replacement Works - Jan 2019

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Notice of Publication of Register of Electors 2019

2019 Register of Electors Notice 

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Totnes Pavilion Leisure Centre Improvements

https://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/totnes-leisure-centre/

Over the past few months Totnes Pavillions Leisure Centre has had £200K of investment to upgrade its facilities including:

 

• Swimming Pool – new accessibility hoist, and new pool filters and circulation pump (improving the water quality and temperature).
• New sauna installed.
• Fitness Class Studio extended and redecorates, and new equipment for classes.
• Fitness suite redecorated and all new equipment installed.

 

Take a look at their website for details of classes and facilities.

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 Youth Nights at the Pavilion - December 2018 Programme

The Friday Youth nights at the Pavilion Leisure Centre are back. Please see below for a timetable of the activities on offer in December.

 

 

Totnes Railway Station Platform Works

Please see attached a letter from Network Rail about platform extension works taking place overnight during December 2018. Totnes Platform Extension Works, Dec 2018

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 The Share Shed 

The Share Shed - A Library of Things in Totnes, where you can borrow all sorts of things including kitchen appliances, camping and gardening equipment, carpet cleaners, tools, musical instruments and much more, are considering a mobile service: the Sharemobile - A Library of Things on Wheels! This vehicle would potentially go to other places in Totnes as well as South Brent, Ashburton and Buckfastleigh. We're gathering people's views on this idea, through this quick survey.

Can you please fill it in and help spread the word?

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Change of advice day at Citizens Advice in Central Totnes

The Citizens Advice drop in advice sessions held in Caring Town Information Exchange (CTIE) at the Mansion on Fore Street.  Will be moving from Fridays to every Wednesday from October 3rd.

Teena Barrett, Advice Services Manager at Citizens Advice South Hams says, ”The service will be the same as before, open on a drop- in basis for people to come along with their problems and talk to an adviser although the hours have changed slightly and will now be 9.30am – 12.30pm.

CTIE have made us very welcome and working from the Mansion in Totnes has helped clients who live centrally and find it difficult to travel to Follaton House. The move to a Wednesday is because we have more advisers on hand to help residents with problems such as housing, debt, benefit and disability entitlement. The demand for our services has increased since the introduction of Universal Credit so we have to make sure our advisers are in the right place to help people”.

All information and advice given by Citizens Advice South Hams is free, independent, impartial and confidential. Advice is also quality assured and meets the Advice Quality Standard (AQS), all debt advice is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. CTIE at the Mansion also has a public access computer available.

Totnes residents can access advice from Citizens Advice South Hams, on line by visiting southhamscab.org.uk and typing their problem into the “How can we help” box, by ringing 03 444 111 444 or by dropping into their offices at Follaton House Mon – Thurs 10am – 4pm or CTIE at the Mansion Weds 9.30am-12.30pm

Communities Together Fund 

For 2018/19, the previous Town and Parish (TAP) Fund, has been relaunched across the County as the Communities Together Fund.

The aim of the Communities Together Fund is to encourage communities to work together; identifying new ideas for their mutual benefit. Applications are welcome from community projects benefiting, enhancing and making a difference to communities.

The deadline for applications is noon on Friday 14^th December 2018. Decisions on grants will be made at a meeting of local SHDC and DCC Members held in January 2019 (it should be noted that all applicant groups will be eligible to attend the meeting).

SHDC Communities Together Fund guidance for 2018_19 final

South Hams Communities Together Fund_App Form final

 

Totnes Town Ranger - Contact Details

 The Town Ranger for Totnes is now in post. if you have any issues about the town, for example unsafe hand rails, graffiti or cleanliness, please contact him on townranger@totnestowncouncil.gov.uk or via the Town Council Offices (01803 862147).

 CULTURAL STRATEGY

A Cultural Strategy for Totnes has been launched and the document can be found at the following link: http://www.visittotnes.co.uk/see-and-do/attractions/cultural-strategy-document-pdf

 

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Problem on the Roads? 

Don't forget you can report any of the road problems listed below on this DCC page: https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/report-a-problem/

Pothole
Flooding & blocked drain
Street light
Hazardous or fallen trees
Overgrown vegetation
Trip hazard
Broken manhole cover
Public rights of way
Debris or obstruction
Ice
Defective road markings or signs
Bridge
Retaining walls
Traffic lights
Fences & barriers
Lit signs & bollards