Current Issues

In August 2024 a small group of Councillors from Great Torrington Town Council plus local representatives from Devon & Cornwall Police and Devon & Somerset Fire Service met to discuss Emergency Planning for the town. As part of this discussion, it was suggested that it would be useful to produce information each season to address common concerns that effect local people.

There are many useful online resources offering advice about getting ready for the colder months ahead. However, we understand that not everyone can access online resources confidently, so if you need help accessing further information do get in touch (01805 626135) we can provide printed copies of information where needed. It is also possible to obtain information and IT support from your local library. If you have specific concerns relating to your health during the cold weather speak with your GP and other healthcare providers.

Examples of useful online resources:

• Winter advice for the elderly – Age UK
• Winter vaccinations – NHS.gov.uk
• Things to do now to prepare for winter – Met Office.
• Financial advice – for those experiencing financial difficulty in later life – independentage.org

The Met Office recommends these ten steps:

(Metoffice.gov.uk)

1. Be prepared for power cuts and internet outage due to stormy weather. Have a battery pack or separate batteries, keep a list of important contact numbers somewhere easy to find (near the phone) e.g. family members, GP practice, the power cut helpline number – 105, plumber, electrician etc.
2. Check your heating – Cold weather can be a risk to your health, particularly if you are over 65 or have health conditions. Ideally your home (and those of elderly relatives and neighbours) should be heated to at least 18°C. Keeping your home warm this winter – Met Office
3. Weatherproof your home & garden – pack away items that may be vulnerable to high winds, consider checking for loose branches, fence panels or slates. Anything that may become dangerous in high winds.
4. Check your plumbing – Do you know where your stop tap is?
5. Make plans – think ahead, consider how you will get to work, can you work from home, how will childcare be managed if the schools are closed?
6. Have basic supplies to hand – make up a handy supply of essential items.
7. Check your car is winter ready – Prepare a winter kit for your car – Met Office

Keep a warm blanket, torch, high visibility jacket, and some food in your car for emergencies. For the full winter car kit visit the Met Office website.

1. Think about vulnerable neighbours – if you know you have a family member or neighbour who may find it difficult to access the information or resources they need, could you offer to help?
2. Keep up to date with recommended seasonal vaccinations. (www.nhs.uk)
3. Find out how the community can prepare for seasonal changes and emergencies, have a look at the below webpages for further information on being prepared and resilient as a community :

• campaign.gov.uk
• gov.uk – community resilience

One of the most common issues people contact Great Torrington Town Council about during winter, particularly if we experience snow and ice, is the location of salt bins. So please do get in touch if you need information about your nearest salt bin. Guidance on how the salt should be used can be found online – grit/salt should be used sparingly and is provided primarily for use on the roads.

The Bickford in South Street is a great place to pop in for a cup of tea and some company, plus you can access useful information.

Look out for other local services offering a warm space throughout the winter.

Management of Weeds:

We have continued to try and minimise the use of harmful chemicals to control weeds heading into this summer, whilst balancing this with maintaining a tidy town and not allowing self-seeding plants to damage pavements and walls.

There are things that we can all can do to reduce the need for the use of harmful chemicals to keep the town looking tidy and welcoming, and minimise damage to buildings and structures:

· Outside Your Own Home:

1. If you are able, keep the area outside your own home free of self-seeding plants & grasses by pulling up visible weeds by hand, and sweeping away debris which provides the ideal environment for seeds to grow.

2. If you are able clear weeds from the area between the house and the pavement; local councils will not pull up weeds here, as this is a homeowner responsibility.

3. If you frequently park on the road, pull the weeds between the road and the pavement, near your property/car, and sweep away any debris, as local authority vehicles are unable to use their equipment to sweep and clear these areas due to the prevalence of on-street parking during the day.

4. If you have a neighbour or family member who can’t manage these activities themselves, consider doing points 1-3 for them too.

If self-seeding plants or trees are affecting the visibility on a road, please contact Devon County Council.

These relatively small individual actions can create one big community action that will contribute towards keeping our whole town looking tidy and welcoming for locals and visitors.

Great Torrington Town Council currently have four vacancies and would welcome applications from members of the community who are interested in local issues.

Our newest member Councillor Jason Isaac has now been on the council for just over a year and has made many positive contributions to meeting and committees. Jason has been working on the Regeneration Strategy for Great Torrington since September 2023 and has been a key local representative bringing some excellent ideas and a can-do attitude.

Councillor Isaac said “As someone who both lives and works in Great Torrington, I am deeply invested in our town’s success. I’m driven by a strong desire to ensure Torrington doesn’t lag behind neighbouring towns, but prospers equally.

My focus includes fostering economic growth, attracting businesses, promoting tourism, and safeguarding our unique natural environment and historic character. Together with fellow councillors and the Mayor, I am dedicated to advancing Great Torrington’s interests and ensuring our town flourishes alongside our neighbours.”

If you think you may be interested in becoming a councillor, please contact us on 01805 626135 or [email protected]. Or come along to the Annual Parish Meeting on March 19th 7pm at Great Torrington Town & Community Hall to find out more.

Howe Plate Award 

Each year the Town Council gives an award to the person or persons whom it feels has provided a local public service that has benefitted local people.  This could be something that they have done over a number of years, or something that has made a big difference in a short space of time. 

The criteria states that the time given is voluntary and the people benefiting are within the parish of Great Torrington. 

Young People’s Award 

The Town Council is keen to recognise the contribution young people in Great Torrington make towards our community.  A new Great Torrington Town Council Young People’s Award has therefore been established, and we are looking forward to receiving your nominations for this award. 

This award is looking to recognise an inspirational young person or group of young people up to age 25 who have volunteered their time for the benefit of others and have made an outstanding contribution to make our community and our world a better place. 

Nominations 

If you would like to nominate someone for consideration for either the Howe Plate Award or the Young People’s Award, please get in touch. Nominations should be accompanied by a written explanation as to why you believe the person or persons should be considered, what they have done, how long for and who has benefited.  Please limit explanations to no more than one side of A4 paper. 

Please send or drop-in your nominations to Great Torrington Town Council, Castle Hill, Torrington, EX38 8AA or email to [email protected], all nominations to be received by midday on Tuesday 25th March 2025. 

Are you concerned about speeding in your neighbourhood? Did you know you can work with Devon & Cornwall Police to set up a Community Speedwatch? Volunteers from the community use detection devices to monitor local vehicle speeds. They receive training, equipment and support from the local neighbourhood policing team.

To get started you need to have a team of 4 people, one of which will need to be the Group Co-ordinator. If you are concerned about driving speeds in a particular area in Torrington and you have a small group of volunteers, then please sign up using the following link to the appropriate website.

https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wsi/watch-schemes-initiatives/speedwatch/community-speedwatch/