Durant Trust Applications open
The Trustees of the Durant Trust are inviting applications from Charities and organisations that wish to apply for funding that would benefit the inhabitants of North Tawton
Please refer to the link for more information and an application form
Rural Cost of Living Survey
Research commissioned by the RSN last year shows rural areas are suffering more acutely from the rise in the cost of living compared to urban areas.
The purpose of the survey is to understand more about rural household budgets at, what is, a very difficult time for many.
Results from the survey will help us to engage more effectively with Government Departments, MPs and other policy makers.
The survey can be found at the following link:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Rural_Households_Cost-of-Living
Please forward the survey link to all your contacts, networks, family and friends living in rural areas – the greater the response the better.
Note the survey closes on 31 March 2023.
North Tawton Housing Needs Survey
Tell Us About North Tawton’s Housing
Issued: 03 January 2023
West Devon Borough Council want to hear from the North Tawton community about their housing needs so they can help to deliver what is needed for the local community.
When the Borough Council declared a Housing Crisis in response to the issues communities were having in finding homes, they developed an action plan that included supporting local homes for local people.
Part of that action plan was to carry out Housing Needs Surveys to find out exactly what each community needs so they can better provide for local people.
The Council need to know exactly what the housing need is for the community, so by carrying out a short survey, it will help them to understand the bigger picture of housing in North Tawton.
To help address North Tawton’s specific housing needs, please take 10 minutes to fill out the Housing Needs Survey at: https://bit.ly/3X3Ivj4
You can email any questions about the survey or any of your affordable housing queries to the Affordable Housing Team on: ku.vo1776285925g.nov1776285925edws@1776285925gnisu1776285925oh.el1776285925badro1776285925ffa1776285925
The survey closes on Monday 6 February 2023.
Cllr Barry Ratcliffe, West Devon Borough Council’s Ward Member for Exbourne, said: “If we have a really strong idea about what we need for our community housing, then we can work hand in hand with our partners to deliver what is specifically needed for North Tawton.
“That can only be a positive for our community to develop and grow. Housing is so expensive and difficult to get onto the ladder. If we can help to facilitate the right homes for the right people, it can only help.”
There will be a drop-in session on Saturday 4 February at North Tawton Community Centre from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The team will be on hand to help you and to answer any questions you may have.
There will also be paper copies of the surveys available too.
This event gives you the chance to tell the Housing Team what you would really like for your community, and to get your voice heard.
Cllr Lois Samuel, West Devon Borough Council’s Ward Member for Exbourne, said: “If we have information about housing in North Tawton, then we can better provide for the houses that you need to live in to make your homes. Do you need to get onto the property ladder or 2-3 bedrooms for your family? Are there retirement homes that you desperately need?
“It’s really important that you take a few minutes of your time to complete the survey so we can build a picture of what housing we have already and what is desperately needed for your community. We’re all very busy but this will really help your future communities get the properties they need to grow.”
ENDS
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Attachments
- Tell Us About North Tawton’s Housing Tell Us About North Tawton’s Housing
West Devon cost of Living Support
Council Takes Fast Action on Cost of Living Support
Issued: 13 December 2022
West Devon Borough Council’s Hub Committee are stepping in to help vulnerable families and communities during the cost of living crisis. The most vulnerable in the Borough will receive financial support and essential household goods and clothing to help keep them warm and reduce costs.
The Government has made available £421m of funding in England to support those with the soaring cost of living. From that funding, £124,407 has been allocated by Devon County Council to support West Devon households.
The money will be redistributed immediately into the hands of those most in need within the Borough. The Council is aiming the support at residents who may not have been eligible for any other support from Government.
The help will come to residents in the following ways:
- £650 to working age households receiving Council Tax Reduction and not receiving certain benefits including: Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance Income-Based, Employment and Support Allowance Income-Related, Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit on 1 December 2022
- £300 to households in receipt of Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction on 1 December 2022
- £10,000 of long-term support and sustainable options to residents dealing with higher energy costs
4. Using the balance of the funding to offer an open application process to provide support to low income households and others in financial need.
Putting the £10,000 to best use, the Council will work with key partners to distribute slow cookers and cookbooks, electric blankets, warm clothing and sleeping bags to households based on residents’ needs.
Cllr Tony Leech, West Devon Lead Member for the Cost of Living said: “We want to target this money and support as quickly as possible to our residents who have missed out on all other help. Particularly those who might have higher costs due to disability energy needs. Those low income households in need, whether families with children, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers or disabled people. Whoever they are, we want to make sure they get this money into their pockets to make a difference especially during this exceptionally cold spell.
“One of the ways we’re helping is by working with our partners to provide essential items which are cost effective. Things like slow cookers and cookbooks specifically for them, electric blankets, warm winter clothing and sleeping bags for extra heat specifically for those who need extra help. Good food and warmth is so very crucial to keeping healthy and that’s why we’ve put together this plan of action and acted as soon as possible. We will also be investigating the purchase of clothes driers, since drying clothes within the home can cause condensation, which can cause more damp and mould issues.
“We have until March 2023 to spend this funding, so it’s important that we get this money out the door as quickly as possible. If there is any money left over, we will encourage our residents who still need help, to get in touch with us and we will do everything we can to support them.”
By providing slow cookers and electric blankets to residents, the hope is it will also deliver longer term and sustainable options to residents dealing with higher energy costs. Having financial worries has a huge knock-on effect to mental health, work and family and the results can be profound if help isn’t on hand.
Cllr Leech continued: “It is important that residents understand that there is no shame in asking for help. It is a difficult time now with exceptionally high demands on budgets and the often-lower incomes in the region, which can be a struggle for anyone with high costs of living.
“Our residents need to know where they can go to get help and we will continue to work closely with the Citizens Advice and Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) who are on hand daily to support residents during this difficult time.”
If you are currently looking for help or advice on the Cost of Living, here is the advice already available: www.westdevon.gov.uk/household-support-fund
For information on the Council’s Cost of Living Support Directory, go to: www.westdevon.gov.uk/support-directory
SIGN UP TO COST OF LIVING ADVICE E-BULLETIN: https://bit.ly/3SNNkeu
To watch the live recording of the Hub Committee, go to: www.youtube.com/@westdevonboroughcouncil23/streams
ENDS
