South Hams waste service rollout declared a success

Posted on 7th March 20247th March 2024 by admin

Tel: 01803 861368

Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk

South Hams waste service rollout declared a success

7 March 2024

Three months after big changes to waste and recycling collections in the South Hams were rolled out, the service has been declared a success.

On 20 November, South Hams District Council aligned the service that all residents were receiving, to make sure everyone living in the District could recycle the same materials, including food waste and glass.

The transition to putting everyone in the South Hams on the new kerbside collection service has gone smoothly, thanks to months of meticulous planning by Council staff and the hard work of drivers and loaders on the ground.

Cllr Jacqi Hodgson, Executive Member for Waste, said: “Getting everyone onto the exact same service was a significant challenge for the Council after we brought the service back in-house in 2022. Yet it’s one that we’ve risen to, thanks to the collective efforts of our staff to make the changes as smooth as possible.

“Collection rounds went through painstaking planning, a robust communications strategy kept everyone well informed and as a result, the number of missed collections since 20 November have been significantly lower than expected.

“Now that everyone is receiving the same service, I’m hopeful that we can recycle even more in the future.”

Cllr Julian Brazil, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “Our residents were very supportive while we made the changes, largely embracing them and supporting us through the transition period. Thank you to everyone.

“I’d also like to thank all our staff who have been involved with the rollout, including our drivers and loaders, who have been working their socks off on the ground to make sure the service runs smoothly.

“There’s still more to do – our recycling rate is currently 44.5%, a number that we are keen to improve. Recycling more of the materials we use is important in the fight against climate change, and it’s something we all can do to play our part. Devon has a county-wide target of a 65% recycling rate by 2035, so we all need to up our game.”

“We know everything’s not perfect, and some people are still experiencing difficulties, but we are in a much better position to deliver on our ambition of reducing overall waste.”

Most South Hams residents experienced some alteration to their service, either changing how they presented their recycling, or having a different collection day. For thousands of households, it meant they were using kerbside boxes, a white reusable sack and food waste caddy for the first time.

Months of meticulous planning has meant that the number of missed collections was significantly lower than expected. They are on a downward trend to meet industry standards of no more than 80 missed bin collections per 100,000 collections by April 2024.

The fact that all residents can now recycle food waste and glass means that the South Hams is now fully complying with the Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms, well ahead of their implementation in 2026.

The Council is now working on making more improvements to its entire waste service, including street cleansing.

The success of the service changes were discussed at the Council’s Executive Committee meeting on 7 March.

To find out more information, including reading the full report on the waste service, go to: www.southhams.gov.uk/executive

The meeting can be viewed in full on our YouTube channel

Council offers financial help for war pensioners and vulnerable

Posted on 7th March 20247th March 2024 by admin

Tel: 01803 861368

Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk

Council offers financial help for war pensioners and vulnerable

Issued: 7 March 2024

Vulnerable residents and war pensioners and widow(er)s could soon receive extra financial support paying their rent after South Hams District Council’s Executive granted approval for two policies which offer financial aid.

Today, Thursday 7 March, the District Council who is responsible for managing Housing Benefit for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) discussed the first of two policies. The Discretionary Housing Payment Policy details how the Council decides it will support the District’s vulnerable residents who are struggling with the cost of living.

In the South Hams, residents who receive the housing cost element of Universal Credit or Housing Benefit are helped by the District Council through short term payments which can then be used to pay for rent or other housing costs.

Over the past year alone, £90,848 has already been spent to support 168 South Hams’ residents with £3,000 still existing for support. The Council expect a similar amount to be available for the coming year which is increasingly needed due to the rise in help asked for by residents who are struggling to meet their housing costs.

When calculating how much housing benefit residents receive, in some instances district councils have the choice to decide how much income should be deducted from income they receive, such as the War Disablement Pension and War Widow(er)’s Pension.

When discussing the second item of the meeting, the War Pensions Disregard Policy, and the importance of supporting veterans and their spouses who have fought for their country, the Executive wholeheartedly agreed to recommend continuing to discount the full 100% pension income.

Continuing to remove all this income from the assessment, means that pensioners receive more support when paying their Housing Benefit if Full Council agree the proposals at the next round of meetings on Thursday 21 March.

Cllr Nicky Hopwood, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Cost of Living and Service Quality, said: “It is crucial that we support our residents, especially during the cost of living crisis. It’s right that we do what we can with the money we have available and I’m pleased that the Executive have made this decision today.

"If agreed at Full Council towards the end of the month, this money will really help the people who have fought on our behalf and their husbands and wives who have suffered the loss of their loved ones, to keep us safe. Let’s now take a turn to help them when life is harder and give back.

“Both of these two aid policies support our residents, old and young, single and families. There is no script for who is struggling financially these days. Hopefully, this extra money will help give a bit of a relief from day-to-day difficulties and help to pay rent or some household bills. Let’s hope so.”

For support with the cost of living and many other issues, go to:

www.southhams.gov.uk/support-directory

To find out more information on the report discussed during Executive, go to:

www.southhams.gov.uk/executive

The meeting can be viewed in full on our YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/@SouthHamsCouncil

Council on the lookout for community heroes

Posted on 2nd March 20242nd March 2024 by admin

Tel: 01803 861368

Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk

Council on the lookout for community heroes

1 March 2024

South Hams District Council has a new award which will celebrate community heroes who go above and beyond to help local people every day.

So, do you know someone doing wonderful things for your community? Is there an organisation who are making a real difference to local people?

If yes, you can now shine a spotlight on their hard work by nominating them for a South Hams Community Award.

The Chairman of the Council along with a panel of judges, are looking for nominations in three categories:

The Young Persons Award (for under 18s)
The Community Champion Award (for over 18s)
The Community Organisation Award

Chairman of South Hams District Council, Cllr Guy Pannell, said: “Very often we hear of great things happening in our community, but we also know there is a lot of hard work which goes unrecognised.

“Our new awards are an opportunity to celebrate the people, and the organisations, who work tirelessly to support the communities they care about.

“Please take the time to nominate and highlight those who are making a real difference.”

Nominations for the South Hams Community Awards close at 11.59pm on Sunday 31 March 2024.

Find out more and nominate at www.southhams.gov.uk/south-hams-community-award

District council supporting the community

Posted on 19th February 202419th February 2024 by admin

Tel: 01803 861368

Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk

District council supporting the community

Issued: 15 February 2024

South Hams District Council’s Full Council today, Thursday 15 February, has formally adopted its Council Plan for 2024-2028 along with the supporting delivery plan for the first year.

The Council agreed the four key policy areas needed to prioritise the climate change and biodiversity emergency, tackle the challenging housing situation, support the economy and deliver good quality services to the District’s communities.

For the next year, the Council has agreed to take forward the following projects all linked to the Council’s key priorities, to:

lead on environmental concerns and take direct action to combat climate change and biodiversity loss including supporting community energy groups, increasing electric vehicle charging points and developing a Keep It Local food scheme.
create and launch the South Hams Housing Offer. This new scheme will support communities and landowners to bring forward affordable housing in their area and help conversations with proven registered housing who working with communities.
deliver an independent living scheme (Disabled Facilities Grants) increasing the amount of funding available to residents.
improve the energy efficiency of 55 properties by awarding Homes Upgrade Grants.
delivery of a new temporary accommodation unit in Kingsbridge.
refurbish and improve local toilets including exploring potential for more Changing Places toilets as important facilities for residents with disabilities.
improve local sport and recreation facilities using developer contributions.
explore the idea of a pilot e-bike hub scheme with 10 hubs totalling 70 bikes.
buy land for tree planting with part-funding from Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest.

Cllr Julian Brazil, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “I’m really pleased that the Council have agreed with the Executive and adopted The Council Plan. They are a robust set of sensible measures to address the very real challenges that we face in the District. These issues of housing, climate change, a troubled economy aren’t going to go away any time soon and we need to work alongside our community and give what support we can to move forward.

“Climate Change and housing issues are not mutually exclusive and we hope to do both. We can’t just sit by; we have to take personal responsibility and do something about it. We have to be holistic in our approach, we don’t have unlimited resources, but we will do what we can.

“We will reach our goals because despite our different party politics, we have the heart of the community at the forefront of what we are doing and that practical approach, together with our excellent financial management will always stand us in good stead.”

To find out more information on each of the reports discussed during Full Council, go to: www.southhams.gov.uk/full-council

The meeting can be viewed in full on South Hams District Council’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/@SouthHamsCouncil

District Council balances the Budget and supports residents

Posted on 16th February 202416th February 2024 by admin

Tel: 01803 861368

Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk

District Council balances the Budget and supports residents

Issued: 15 February 2024

Despite very challenging financial circumstances due to the economic climate and previous years’ reductions in Government funding for Councils, South Hams District Council’s Full Council heard proposals for how they would set a balanced budget for 2024/2025.

The meeting held today, Thursday 15 February, heard that strong financial management over many years and the continual drive for efficiency has meant that the Council has remained in a healthy financial position.

Reductions in Government funding over the past few years has meant the Council no longer receives any core Government grant (Revenue Support Grant), a loss of £4 million per year, so the Council has to be self-sufficient to fund all of its services.

Councillors agreed to a small increase in Council Tax of £5.54 per year, (2.99%) meaning residents living in a Band D property would pay £190.96 for the District Council’s section of the Council Tax, for all of its services.

At the same time the Council has approved changes to extend its existing Council Tax Reduction Scheme, which already supports 4,900 households and has awarded £5.9m to reduce residents’ bills through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

Cllr Julian Brazil, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “This Budget proposed an increase in Council Tax of just £5.54 a year (2.99%), an increase of under 11 pence per week. We have kept the increase as low as possible and below current price rises.

“We really don’t want to put up any costs and I honestly mean that, but we have to be realistic about how we can provide our services with difficult cuts to our funding.

“By raising our Council Tax by this small amount, we can continue to help residents and businesses who need our support and allow us to continue delivering vital services. Whether that is through support with the cost of living, with home improvement grants, housing, benefits or other services. The extra funding will help us put the resource to where it’s most needed and help to balance the finances and to deliver the key priorities that you, our residents, have told us you want us to focus on over the next three years.

“These are only some of the many services that we offer for less than one tenth of the annual Council Tax bill. We offer real value for money, with only 8p of every £1 paid (8%) in Council Tax being kept by South Hams District Council to fund our services.

“The largest part of the Council Tax bill goes to Devon County Council who provide adult social care, children’s services and the roads network, including potholes which many people mistakenly think we are responsible for. The Council Tax also provides money for the Police and Fire Authorities, as well as local services provided by town and parish councils. South Hams District Council collects the Council Tax and pays the money across to these other councils, the Fire and the Police to run their services.”

There are lots of ways to find out more about what the Council is doing by:

Watching committee meetings and view agendas and minutes at: www.southhams.gov.uk/Full-Council
How your Council Tax is spent and support paying your bill can be found here: www.southhams.gov.uk/council-tax
Visiting the web newsroom at: www.southhams.gov.uk/news
Signing up for Council email bulletins at: www.southhams.gov.uk/newsletter-sign-up

District council supporting the community

Posted on 16th February 202416th February 2024 by admin

Tel: 01803 861368

Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk

District council supporting the community

Issued: 15 February 2024

South Hams District Council’s Full Council today, Thursday 15 February, has formally adopted its Council Plan for 2024-2028 along with the supporting delivery plan for the first year.

For the next year, the Council has agreed to take forward the following projects all linked to the Council’s key priorities, to:

lead on environmental concerns and take direct action to combat climate change and biodiversity loss including supporting community energy groups, increasing electric vehicle charging points and developing a Keep It Local food scheme.
create and launch the South Hams Housing Offer. This new scheme will support communities and landowners to bring forward affordable housing in their area and help conversations with proven registered housing who working with communities.
deliver an independent living scheme (Disabled Facilities Grants) increasing the amount of funding available to residents.
improve the energy efficiency of 55 properties by awarding Homes Upgrade Grants.
delivery of a new temporary accommodation unit in Kingsbridge.
refurbish and improve local toilets including exploring potential for more Changing Places toilets as important facilities for residents with disabilities.
improve local sport and recreation facilities using developer contributions.
explore the idea of a pilot e-bike hub scheme with 10 hubs totalling 70 bikes.
buy land for tree planting with part-funding from Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest.

To find out more information on each of the reports discussed during Full Council, go to: www.southhams.gov.uk/full-council

The meeting can be viewed in full on South Hams District Council’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/@SouthHamsCouncil

South Hams residents can now sign up to or renew their subscription for the district’s garden waste collection service

Posted on 16th February 202416th February 2024 by admin

Tel: 01803 861368

Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk

South Hams residents can now sign up to or renew their subscription for the district’s garden waste collection service

15 February 2024

South Hams residents can now sign up to or renew their subscription for the district’s garden waste collection service for 2024/25.

If you sign up before 31 March 2024, you’ll pay £52 for a year-long subscription running from 1 April 2024 that covers collections for one brown wheelie bin. There is a maximum of two subscriptions (which would cover two bins) per household. Subscribers can put grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, cut flowers and plants, small branches, weeds, leaves, twigs, windfall fruit and vase flowers in their brown bin.

If you sign up after 31 March 2024, the service will cost £55. Subscribers should note that the service will be suspended over the winter for four weeks, from 20 December 2024 to 20 January 2025.

Cllr Jacqi Hodgson, Executive Member for Waste, said: “This past year has been the first year of a paid garden waste collection service in the South Hams, and we have delivered a high quality of service for our residents.

“The price has risen slightly on last year’s fee, but that is so we can continue to deliver a great service while covering our costs.

“Compared to what private companies charge for collections, the annual fee represents very good value for money. It’s convenient, reliable, and worth considering if you have a garden.”

You can sign up to the service in two ways:

The quickest and easiest way to sign up is on our website: www.southhams.gov.uk/gardenwaste - the website is also full of information and useful FAQs on the service.
Alternatively, call us: You can call us on 01803 861234. We expect phone lines to be very busy, so there may be a wait.

If you’re already a subscriber to the garden waste service, there will be no changes to your service if you renew your subscription by 1 April, and you can continue to use your brown bin with no interruptions.

If you decide not to sign up for the service, you can still take your garden waste to all three recycling centres in the South Hams. Full details, including opening hours, are available online here: www.devon.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/centre/

Alternatively, you can find out more on home composting possibilities here: www.recycledevon.org/in-the-garden/how-to-compost

The Council has also launched its own community composting scheme, supporting local community composting groups. A scheme in Marldon recently launched to great success. If you’d like to find out more about how the Council can support you to set up a scheme, visit: www.southhams.gov.uk/community-composting

Let’s talk about alcohol in public spaces

Posted on 13th February 202413th February 2024 by admin

Tel: 01803 861368

Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk

Let's talk about alcohol in public spaces

13 February 2024

What do you think about people drinking in public spaces in your local town? South Hams District Council would like residents’ thoughts on Public Space Protection Orders for specific areas within five towns which are due for renewal on Sunday 14 July.

What is a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)

A PSPO deals with potential anti-social behaviour in an area which could have a harmful effect on the quality of life for those in the local community. It can ban or restrict certain things, or need specific things to be done, in this case the control of alcohol in public areas.

There are some areas of the South Hams where the public drinking of alcohol is restricted. PSPOs last for three years before they need to be reviewed and the current orders run out in July. The District Council now need to consult on the next set for the following three year period.

The review affects all five town’s current PSPOs in the following towns, as follows:

Totnes
Dartmouth
Ivybridge
Kingsbridge
Salcombe

For more information on the exact locations of the PSPOs within each town, please visit the consultation to have your say, which runs until Tuesday 19 March 2024.

For people not following instructions within the selected PSPO areas can have their alcohol removed by Devon and Cornwall Police and can be fined up to £500 when prosecuted.

Cllr Denise O'Callaghan, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member Housing; Environmental Health; and Licensing, said: “Most people are very responsible drinkers, but sadly not everyone is and that means drinking in public can become a nuisance for others, both at night and during the day. That is why some of the busiest and most public areas in our towns usually have Public Space Protection Orders on them, or PSPOs, as they are known.

“We want your help to find out if the ones we have in place are still fit for purpose. Are they still needed where they are? Do they need extending or is there a new area which we don’t have somewhere else that we need to think about? The survey should only take about 5-10 minutes to complete and it will benefit our communities so everyone can live together in harmony and enjoy our public spaces.

“Thank you in advance for taking the time to tell us what you think before the consultation ends on Tuesday 19 March.”

If you would like to share your thoughts online, go to: alcoholinpublic.commonplace.is

Or by post to:

Environmental Protection Team

South Hams District Council

Follaton House

Plymouth Road

Devon

TQ9 5NE

Dartmouth Lower Ferry remains a single service this month

Posted on 8th February 20248th February 2024 by admin

Tel: 01803 861368

Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk

Dartmouth Lower Ferry remains a single service this month

8 February 2024

Due to extended maintenance works, the Dartmouth Lower Ferry will continue to operate a single service this February. Its usual double ferry service will now restart on Tuesday 27 February.

South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Community Services; Operations and Leisure, Cllr Victor Abbott, said “We had expected that our double ferry service would be back up and running from 12 February, however due to more works needed on the vessel hull and the linked safety checks, this has now been delayed. We also need to make sure we have the correct tides to bring the ferry back into service.

“We understand that this may cause some inconvenience, however our ferries need to be in the best condition because the safety of our passengers is always our top priority.

“The Lower Ferry Team has been doing a fantastic job getting people across the River Dart over the past month while both the lower and higher ferry services have been reduced. They will continue to make sure your journeys are as smooth as possible, including extra staff during peak times.”

Following its own maintenance period, The Higher Ferry will also be back in action from Monday 12 February, meaning there will be two car ferry services operating across the River Dart during the Lower Ferry’s single running period time.

For more information on the ferry, please visit:

www.southhams.gov.uk/dartmouth-lower-ferry

Welcome To Our February Newsletter!

Posted on 6th February 20246th February 2024 by admin

Devolution proposals for Devon, business support and meet the Climate Task Force.

Devon Climate Emergency | February 2024

Welcome To Our February Newsletter!

There are many actions already taking place across Devon that are successfully reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing resilience and implementing the Devon Carbon Plan and Climate Adaptation Strategy. Here are our picks for the month!

You can see more positive actions and stay updated throughout the month by visiting the Taking Action page on our website.

Proposed Devolution Deal for Devon and Torbay to aid transition to net-zero

Six white people, including one woman, stand behind a desk holding up blue folders.

Devolution for Devon and Torbay has taken a big step forward with the publication of Government proposals for a ground-breaking deal that could re-draw the future relationship between local government in Devon and Torbay, and Whitehall.

The proposals detail how the Deal would transfer a range of powers and funding to a Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (CCA), subject to public consultation.

A section of the Deal proposal entitled 'Net zero and climate adaptation' outlines a range of areas with the potential for the Deal to enable more effective action on climate change.

Subject to the outcome of consideration by the Cabinets of Torbay and Devon County Councils, public consultation will begin on 12 February.

Pictured left to right in the photo: Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly; Kevin Foster, MP for Torbay; Councillor John Hart, Leader of Devon County Council; Jacob Young, Levelling Up Minister; Councillor David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council; Anthony Mangnall, MP for Totnes.

Read More

Net-Zero Exchange Funds Enterprises To Collaborate With Researchers

Two white women in a laboratory look at a container with plants soaking in a liquid. There is a tray of containers ready to be filled.

Enterprises in Devon can apply for funding to support collaboration with a researcher through the University of Plymouth’s Net-Zero Solutions Fund. Grants of up to £7,500 are available to enable solutions-focused research on a carbon challenge.

The deadline for applications is the 27th of March 2024.

Read More

Grants For Organisations In South Hams And West Devon To Decarbonise

Man standing in a field next to a agricultural robot.

Organisations in West Devon and the South Hams can apply for funding through a number of grants of up to £10,000 to support Clean Economic Growth. The grants are distributing money secured through the Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund.

Funding pots available include the Decarbonisation Grant, the Agri-tech Grant, Clean Diversification Grant and a Community Resilience Grant.

Organisations will need to provide 50% of the total project costs as match funding.

Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash

Read More

More Support For Business And Community Decarbonisation In East Devon

two people at a laptop, one pointing at the screen and one typing

East Devon District Council’s Cabinet have approved a £207,000 package of decarbonisation support for local businesses and community groups.

Organisations will be able to benefit from free training, carbon surveys and carbon action plans to help them save money and increase profitability by reducing waste and carbon emissions. Firms which take part will be able to apply for grant funding later this year to help deliver their decarbonisation plans.

Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash

Find Out More

Energy Local Totnes Launched And Growing!

Totnes Civic Hall - a grey stone building with small windows just under the eaves and solar PV on the roof

Devon County Council provided support to the Totnes Renewable Energy Society (TRESOC), helping to set up renewable energy marketplace Energy Local Totnes as the South West’s first smart local energy system. The scheme has launched with 35 households signed up.

Energy Local Totnes has received further funding to expand to 200 households in the next two years, with anticipated savings of up to 30% off their energy bills and reduced carbon emissions of 30% per household.

Find Out More

University Of Plymouth Saves £60,000 Through Reuse

recycling symbol on phone next to coffee cup

The University of Plymouth has saved £60,000 in 12 months by using the Warp-it reuse initiative.

Savings came from reusing office furniture and stationery, instead of purchasing new. Reuse has also helped the university avoid 10,000kg of waste and save 19,000kg of carbon.

Read More

Plymouth Launches Climate Connections

Is your organisation committed to positive climate action? Then shout it from the Plymouth rooftops! Sign up to Climate Connections to share what you’ve achieved, what you’re working on and your latest projects, inspiration, events and more.

Climate Connections believe that together we can make a huge difference in the fight against climate change. Are you with us?

By joining Plymouth Climate Connections community, you can;

Share and learn insider tips and pitfalls
Find solutions to your net zero challenges
Shout about all the good things your organisation is doing
See what others in your sector are doing
Get inspiration from plans, policies and resources
Share the highs and lows of your net zero journey

Join today!

Meet the Devon Climate Task Force

The Devon Climate Task Force is using its specialist knowledge and experience to offer advice on and scrutiny of the implementation of both the Climate Adaptation Strategy and Devon Carbon Plan. They meet quarterly to make recommendations to the Devon Climate Emergency partnership.

The Task Force members have expertise in topics relevant to carbon reduction and climate adaptation and are drawn from business, environmental, community and academic organisations. A number of the Net-Zero Task Force members, who developed the Devon Carbon Plan, have transitioned to the Climate Task Force.

Meet the Task Force

Progress Update on the Adaptation Strategy Action Plan

A progress report on the short term actions in the Adaptation Strategy Action Plan has been published on the website.

Read More

Business Spotlight - Impact Coaching

A white woman in black trousers and a white shirt with heeled shoes in front of a screen which says effective teams.

Local businesses are making great progress on becoming net-zero - Impact Coaching have joined over 120 other businesses, councils, schools and more who have already signed the Devon Climate Declaration to show the growing support for taking action.

Jessica Wiggins, Founder and Coach at Impact Coaching, told us:

"The vision for Impact Coaching is for business to be used as a force for good in the world. It is for this reason that we specialise in coaching & mentoring leaders of purpose focused organisations to support them to drive IMPACT, growth & change. By working with purpose focused leaders, we are able to create a ripple effect & have even greater positive impact as each one of our clients will, as a result of working with us, become more effective at growing their business, driving systemic change & creating meaningful impact.

Not only do we support our clients to do good business that positively impacts people & the planet, but we do the same for ourselves at Impact Coaching. Some of the ways we do this are by vetting our suppliers & ensuring that we use ethical & sustainable suppliers who can verify their supply chain, by delivering our coaching services online wherever practical, by investing in green office equipment & by reducing, reusing & recycling wherever possible.

As our business grows, we will remain fully committed to minimising our emissions & protecting the planet through the use of impact assessments to accurately measure our carbon footprint & to identify areas where we might be able to reduce it."

Would you like to feature the steps your organisation is making to address climate change? Endorse the declaration and we’ll be in touch!

Endorse the Devon Climate Declaration

Find out about upcoming events across Devon below.

Net Zero and Sustainability Workshop for Businesses

Wed, 7th Feb 10:00 - 15:00 FREE

Exeter Science Park, 6 Babbage Way Clyst Honiton EX5 2FN

Fully funded event exploring ways that your business can save money & reach its net zero goals. With guest speakers & free networking lunch.

Find Out More

Schools Working Together To Be Zero Carbon Webinar

Thu, 22nd Feb 16:00 - 17:00, online

This webinar will give an update from Let’s Go Zero followed by a presentation from EcoSchools about their amazing new Schools Carbon Foot-Printing Tool.

In the second half Let's Go Zero will share information about the free 1:2:1 support they offer to all educational settings throughout England.

Find Out More and Register

Stepping up to Net Zero: Assessing your product’s impact

Thu, 22nd Feb 16:30 – 18:30

In person at the Sustainability Hub, Plymouth and online

Whether you’re involved in making products, designing products or buying products to provide a service, assessing carbon could empower you to make greener choices. Join this free event for a review of the drivers for understanding the environmental impact of a product or service, explore tools for calculating carbon and glean best-practice advice from a range of specialists in different fields.

Find Out More

Totnes Bike Hub Winter Evening Workshop Classes

General Maintenance and Punctures - Winter Evening Workshop Class

Thu,15th Feb 18:00 - 20:30

FREE, Totnes Bike Hub

Would you like to learn how to repair your bike? Then check out this winter programme of learn-to-fix events! These are funded by Cycling UK and are aimed at beginners, and people returning to cycling.

Booking for the evening workshops is essential.

Email Totnesbikehub@gmail.com, phone or pop into the shop to book your place!

Find Out More

Bike Kitchen - Self Supported Use of Workshop Space and Tools

Totnes Bike Hub 'Bike Kitchen' - Self Supported Use of Workshop Space & Tools

Sat 24th Feb, 10:00 - 12:00, FREE, Totnes Bike Hub

Get your bike ready for spring and make use of the Hub's tools and space. Knowledge of bike maintenance required as this session is self supported.

No booking is required for the Bike Kitchen.

Find Out More

Bring Your Own Bike

Wed, 12.30 - 19.45, Ride on Exeter

Suggested donation is £7.50 p/hour, not including required parts.

A place for people to work on their own bikes, using the workshop, affordable second hand parts and new consumables to keep your bike on rolling.

Ride On will not fix your bike for you, but can offer some assistance and guidance as you work if needed. To make a booking, please call the workshop on 07544 314749.

Find Out More

Nature's Table - Chardstock Eco Group

Sat 17th Feb, 10:00 - 13:00

Chardstock Community Hall, EX13 7NJ

A celebration of local nature with a range of activities on offer. Collect free trees from Devon Wildlife Trust and get advice on planting. Or bring your kids to join in games and making bird feeders, plus stalls, displays and other activities.

Find Out More

A Greener Way for our Bay for all of Torbay to be happy and healthy, we need to plan for a changing world. Trees, cyclist and someone walking.

A Greener Way for Our Bay – Have your say - Survey Now Live

If you live in Torbay then Torbay Climate Partnership want to hear your views to help them plan for a changing world.

The new consultation aims to engage with local people on the Torbay Climate Partnership’s new plans for reducing the Bay’s carbon footprint and preparing for a changing climate.

Find Out More

Devon Climate Emergency
County Hall, Topsham Road
Exeter, Devon EX2 4QD

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