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Parking Charges in December 2021

Torridge District Council has confirmed the “small businesses free parking day” across all Torridge District Council car parks will be on Saturday 4th December 2021.

Great Torrington Town Council has six hours remaining of its second allocated free parking day for 2021 and Members agreed to use this to provide free parking at Sydney House Car Park only on Christmas Eve, 24th December 2021 between the hours of 8am and 2pm.

Government Green Homes Grants – Free Energy Efficiency Improvements for Torridge Residents

Low-income Residents across Torridge can benefit from free energy efficiency improvements worth up to £10,000 thanks to receiving a share of a multi-million pound Government funded programme, led by West of England Combined Authority, working with E.ON and Happy Energy Solutions.

Under the Green Homes Grants Scheme, owner occupiers will benefit from energy efficiency installations up to the value of £10,000 with nothing for them to pay towards the costs of works. Tenants of rented properties can also access grants of up to £5,000 for energy efficiency upgrades, but the landlord will be expected to contribute at least one third towards the cost of works.

To be eligible for the grants the residents of the property must have a low income (receive benefits or have the household income below £30,000 per annum) and the EPC for the property must be rated D, E, F or G. If there is no EPC for your property, you can still apply and it doesn’t matter who your energy supplier is.

If you’re struggling to keep your home warm and think you might be eligible for some help, you can submit an application at the following website www.heatdevon.co.uk

The scheme is expected to run until March 2022, but will operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you qualify, Happy Energy Solutions will survey your home to assess which energy efficiency measures could be installed.The options will then be discussed with you for a final decision to be reached.

There are a number of ways for people to get further information by following one of the following links:

Telephone: Text 07520 660500 to request more information

Website: www.heatdevon.co.uk

Email: hello@heatdevon.co.uk

Post expires at 3:51pm on Tuesday November 23rd, 2021

Household Support Fund Launch

As part of the nationwide efforts to recover following the pandemic, Devon and District Councils have been provided with some funding from the Government’s Household Support Fund (HSF). 

Funding has been distributed to councils across England, who know their local areas best, to directly help those who need it most, including for example, through small grants to meet daily needs such as food, clothing, and utilities.

More information about the fund and the national picture can be found in the Government Household Support Fund announcement. 

What is the Household Support Fund?

We know that sudden unexpected costs can create real challenges for our residents who are experiencing financial hardship. The Household Support Fund is available to provide rapid short-term financial support to meet immediate needs and help those who are struggling to afford food, energy and water bills, and other related essentials this winter.

The scheme runs until 31 March 2022 and is designed to help ease financial pressure on residents with low incomes and to support those most in need this winter whilst the economy recovers.

Due to the limited funds available, the funding will prioritise items necessary for day to day living such as food and essential household items.

We recognise that we cannot predict every challenge that residents may face, so applications will be accepted for other essential types of support which cannot be budgeted for and which deliver on the aims of this scheme. These items will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

To find out more about eligibility and to apply go to https://torridge.gov.uk/article/20618/Household-Support-Fund-Grants

What other support is available?

Further information on what financial support is available for individuals and families in Devon can be found at https://www.devon.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-in-devon/document/support-for-people-and-families/

Remembrance Parade & Service 2021

Great Torrington’s Remembrance Parade was very well attended this morning by representatives from many groups and organisations in the town together with a large turnout from members of the public. Led by the Torrington Silver Band, representatives of the armed forces and the Great Torrington Army Cadets, the parade marched to the War Memorial at the Cemetery where a very poignant service was held. Reverend Rob Blackhall led the service with readings by Mayor Cllr Doug Smith and Mr Sidney Adams, Chairman of the Great Torrington Branch of the Royal British Legion.

Armistice Day 2021

This morning, the Mayor of Great Torrington, Cllr Doug Smith, laid a wreath at Great Torrington’s war memorial on behalf of the town to commemorate Armistice Day.  A small ceremony took place, led by the Mayor’s Chaplain, Rev Rob Blackhall.  The Mayor was accompanied by his Beadle, Andy Griffiths, and was joined by The Chairman and President of the local Royal British Legion branch, Mr Sidney Adams and Miss Sue Mills, respectively. 

Post expires at 11:43am on Thursday November 11th, 2021

Great Torrington Bug Hunt – Competition Winner

This morning the Mayor of Great Torrington, Cllr Doug Smith, assisted Kim Insull of Really Wild Learning in selecting the winner of the Great Torrington Bug Hunt competition which ran throughout October.  Kim brought Elsa the Milk Snake along too to help the Mayor choose the winner!  The lucky winner was Allannah McConnachie and she will be awarded with a certificate and her prize later this week.  Well done to everyone who entered the competition – we hope you enjoyed taking part in this fun activity.

Scouts’ Coffee Morning – official opening of new kitchen area

The Mayor attended the Scouts’ Coffee Morning on Saturday 30th October and officially opened their newly renovated kitchen area.  The funds for this renovation project partly came from the donation made to the Scouts by Cllr Keeley Allin when she was Mayor in 2019/20.

“In my many years of scouting, a kitchen to me conjured up a fire in the middle of a field, where we worked wonders with limited ingredients to feed ravenous fellow scouts. The kitchen at the Scout hut which I was honoured to open was unrecognisable …. induction hobs, good extractors… I’m showing my age!
The Scout HQ is improving in leaps and bounds thanks to the inspiration and dedication of the Whitear family. I’m already looking forward to the next phase”

Cllr Doug Smith
Mayor of Great Torrington