Latest News
TOTNES CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
If you would like to apply for a pitch at the Totnes Christmas Festival please complete the attached application form and return via email to christmasfestival@totnestowncouncil.gov.uk by Friday 27th September.
Totnes Christmas Festival Application Form
GUILDHALL EXHIBITION - WORK, LIVES AND LOVES OF BARRY
In October there will be a private
event at Totnes Guildhall to bestow posthumously on Barrington Weekes the
Honorary Freedom of Totnes.
From 21st October to 25th October there will be a small exhibition in the Guildhall of the WORK, LIVES AND LOVES of Barry. We welcome you to the Guildhall to look at this exhibition, please check opening times before visiting on www.totnestowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01803 862147
Citizens Advice Wills Week, 23rd - 27th September
Law practices across the South Hams have offered to waive their
fees for writing Wills for one week only, 23rd-27th September
to raise funds for Citizens Advice South Hams. Anyone taking up this offer can
have a Will written for free but will be asked to make a donation to Citizens
Advice, suggested amounts are £100 for a single and £150 for a double Will, a
substantial saving. The offer is open to anyone wishing to make a simple Will,
which would include bequeathing basic gifts of cash, property, assets or family
heirlooms to family or friends.
Practices taking part are :-
Totnes – Bartons - tel 01548 854927 or (appointments will be in
their Totnes offices) or email charitywills@bartons.co.uk 9,
Town Quay, The Plains, TQ9 5DW
SHDC Polling District and Polling Places Review
South Hams District Council is currently conducting a review of polling stations in the district and are inviting comments - see here for more information.
Totnes Town Council is urging everyone in Totnes to support our local Fire Services
In response
to the recent public announcement to reduce local fire services throughout
Devon, the Town Council is encouraging everyone to find out more about the
proposals and send in responses to support our Fire Services in Totnes. We are also asking residents to consider
putting themselves forward to join the excellent team of Firefighters we have
in Totnes. They deserve and need our
support.
An Opportunity to Have Your Say
The new proposals include reducing the number of fire engines (‘pumps’) at Totnes Fire Station down from two to one. The public are invited to make their views known and Totnes Town Council is urging residents of Totnes to consider the implications of this for the town in terms of the potential risk to saving lives and our many heritage buildings. Please see the following link for details of a drop in event on 14th August in Totnes Library: https://www.facebook.com/events/2391887261079038/?ti=cl
Why we need to Retain TWO Fire Engines
The narrow high street is lined with many timber framed buildings that are centuries old that are very vulnerable to fires that can quickly spread putting lives and buildings at risk. At least two Fire Engines are called out to house fires; however if one of those services needs to travel from outside Totnes this could make a critical difference to the outcome of the fire and the risk to the smaller group of firefighters initially attending the fire.
This is the link for the on-line consultation on the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service website: https:/tinyurl.com/yxgvgdkp. Paper copies are available at the public drop-in consultations or by calling Tel. 01392-872347. The public consultation runs until September 20th.
Totnes Fire Services Need more Recruits
However an ongoing major problem for our local fire services is the lack of local recruits which means that even if we are able to retain the second fire engine there is currently insufficient fire men and women in the local team trained and ready to take it out in response to an emergency call. This is a request from Totnes Town Council asking people to consider putting themselves forward to be part of our local fire service and join the Totnes Fire Response Team. Enquiries can be made via Totnes Fire Station FB page
Tree Preservation Orders
Are you concerned about whether a tree in the town is protected in any way? Councils can use Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) to protect trees, groups or woodlands of significant public amenity value and where there is a likelihood of threat to the tree. For further information see the local information page here.
Ash Die Back Advice
You may have heard through various media outlets that our much revered native ash trees are currently at a high risk of infection from Ash Dieback disease which may affect their health and eventually the stability of the whole tree in some instances. For further information see the local information page here.
Public Session for all Full Council meetings
Don’t forget that following the adoption of new Standing Orders, public question time will be held for the 30 minutes before Full Council (from 6.30pm), not the formalised 15 minutes during the meeting as before.
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 early 2020 with the surfacing to follow later in the year.
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.
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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
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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