Road Closure Notice

By Community Information, News, Parish Council

Road Closure

Notice has been given by DCC of another road closure in the Parish from Thursday 2nd May to Tuesday 7th May 2024:

ROAD FROM HAYE DOWN TO STAGS HEAD HOUSE, BRENTOR

The alternative, signed, route for vehicles will be via - ROAD FROM HAYE DOWN TO STAGS HEAD HOUSE - ROAD FROM WESTCOTT TO BRENTOR BRIDLEPATH - ROAD FROM PITLAND CORNER  TO HEATHFIELD PLANTATION - ROAD FROM SPORTSMANS CROSS TO NEWLANDS - ROAD FROM HAYE DOWN TO SPORTSMANS CROSS - ROAD FROM HAYE DOWN TO STAGS HEAD HOUSE

You can download the full notice here:
240201 TTRO2455315 On Site Notice (002)

Pothole misery

By Community Information, News, Ongoing Community Issues, Parish Council

Local pot holes highlighted in local press

Will Walker-Smith is so fed up with the state of the roads in the Parish he sent a picture in to the local paper showing the shocking state of the roads in Liddaton which they published highlighting the issue (again). Residents in Liddaton feel as if DCC have forgotten that they exists as little has been done to remedy the appalling road conditions and drainage/flooding problems there. DCC have been repeatedly informed by residents and BPC (as well as local and county councillors Robert Oxborough and Phillip Sanders) of a number of issues in our parish but little has been done to remedy them. If you would like to report an issue on the roads to DCC the easiest way is through their online reporting tool: Report a problem - Roads and transport (devon.gov.uk) .

Maybe if enough people report issues then something will be done!

Proposed parking charges in Tavistock and Okehampton

By Community Information, Featured, News, Ongoing Community Issues, Parish Council

Parking charges consultation ends 7th January - be quick!

Devon County Council has announced plans to introduce on street parking charges in Tavistock and Okehampton despite opposition from just about everyone. Not only is there strong opposition to the proposed charges DCC have not provided any evidence to support the benefits that they believe the charges will bring (better air quality, less traffic and better access to premises).

The consultation period ends at the end on the next week (7th January). Please click on the link below to send your thoughts to DCC about what appears to be another cash grab. There is more information on the following sites:

You can send your comments using the form here Parking Charges Response Form and sign the petition here Petition · Stop The Meters! Protect Tavistock Town Centre - Keep Parking Free. · Change.org and another here Petition | Tavistock (visit-tavistock.co.uk)

Former Borough and Parish Councillor honoured

By Community Information, News, Parish Council

Former councillor Terry Pearce recognised for his service as Borough Councillor.

Alderman presentation - L to R - Terry Pearce, Diana Moyse, West Devon Mayor Cllr Lynn Daniel, Mike Davies, and Mark Ridgers

Terry Pearce, who for many years represented Brentor at West Devon Borough Council as well as serving as the Chair of Brentor Parish Council, has been honoured by being made an Honorary Alderman of West Devon Borough Council. The honour was made in recognition of his service to the communities of West Devon. Terry worked tirelessly for the people of Brentor and the other wards he represented before stepping down last year. You can read more about the award here.

DCC Roads and Transport reporting tool

By Community Information, Featured, News, Ongoing Community Issues, Parish Council, Parish Council News

DCC roads and transport - report an issue

Devon County Council Roads and Transport have an online tool that allows the reporting of problems with the roads or transport in the County. You can use the service to report issues such as flooding, blocked drains, pot holes or defective signage. The Parish Council have been informed that the quickest way to report an issue, and presumably get it resolved, is to use this service. In an emergency (something that is very likely to present an imminent threat to life or serious injury or serious damage to property) do not use the tool but contact the emergency line on tel:03451551004.

Meeting with Sir Geoffrey Cox

By Featured, Parish Council, Parish Council News

Meeting with Sir Geoffrey Cox

A meeting has been arranged by Cllr Robert Oxborough, our WDBC member, between the local Parish Councils and Sir Geoffrey Cox, MP for Torridge and West Devon, to discuss various issues that are of great concern to those living and working in the area. The meeting is due to take place early in the new year.

Top of the list is the abysmal provision of reliable internet connections in the Parish. Despite much effort over the years from both public bodies such as the Parish Council and local residents the provision of decent broadband still appears to be something that Openreach is unable, or unwilling to achieve. Another concern is the crumbling condition of local roads with pot holes frequently causing dangerous and expensive damage to vehicles on a regular basis. Speeding, flooding, the maintenance (or not) of culverts and drains by Devon County Council have also been suggested as subjects to be raised at the meeting.

If you would like to suggest a subject to raise with Sir Geoffrey or have information that you would like to the Parish Council to highlight with him, for example repeated failed attempts to get pot holes repaired, please get in touch using the form opposite.

Suggest a subject

    Thermal Imaging Cameras for loan

    By Community Information, Featured, News, Parish Council, Parish Council News

    Thermal Imaging Cameras for loan

    Image of a house through a thermal imaging device

    Thermal imaging can help detect where heat is leaking from your property

    Are you interested in seeing where your property is "leaking" heat?

    West Devon Borough Council has obtained several thermal imaging cameras that can be used to find where heat is leaking from your windows, walls and roof. Information on the scheme can be found here: https://www.westdevon.gov.uk/housing/housing-support/thermal-imaging-camera-hire.

    If you are interested in the service then please get in touch with so we can gauge interest in the Parish and arrange for the loan of the cameras (they can only be loaned via Parish Councils).

    Thanks to our local councillor Cllr Robert Oxborough who was instrumental in arranging the acquisition of the cameras for residents use.

    Electoral Canvassers

    By Community Information, Featured, News, Ongoing Community Issues, Parish Council

    Electoral Canvassers

    It is that time of year again when canvassers will be calling on all properties within the council area who are required to, but have not yet returned, a Canvass Form with regard to Electoral Registration. The Canvassers will be trying to make contact with those households who have not supplied information that we have requested under Electoral Registration legislation. 

    The canvassers will be carrying ID and will be delivering forms and not taking information at the doorstep, unless it is offered to them.

    Stop the closure of the mobile library service

    By Community Information, Featured, News, Ongoing Community Issues, Parish Council

    Save Devon's Mobile Libraries

    Image: Devon County Council

    The campaign to save Devon’s mobile libraries from closure by Devon County Council has now reached more than 4000 online signatures and hundreds more paper signatures, with support from a whole host of celebrities and authors including Stephen Fry and Michael Morpurgo.

    To sign the petition online  https://www.change.org/SaveOurMobileLibrary

    This petition calls on Devon County Council to keep the mobile library service running in Devon, especially here where we have many very rural and isolated areas which really benefit from its service.

    Please sign and share this petition to help save our mobile libraries before the final decision is made by county councillors in the next few weeks.

    The campaign to save the mobile library service has attracted national attention and support from Stephen Fry and Michael Rosen:

    Authors join online campaign to save ‘vital’ Devon mobile library services

    If you would rather sign the petition in person then please visit the Brentor Village Hall on Saturday 2 September during the Summer Fete and Produce Show between 9:30 and 3:00

    Foresty Plan Consultation

    By Community Information, Natural Brentor, Parish Council

    Lydford Forest Consultation

    Consultation period ends on 13th October

    Forestry England are working on a new forest plan for their land at Lydford, Brentor and Burley Down. The plan will define the long-term vision for the woodland and sets out how management of the land will acheive this over the next ten years.

    Forestry England are keen to get as many comments as possible on the draft plan that has been published here https://consult.forestryengland.uk/ to get the am appropriate balance of views and opinions. The plan can be accessed by selecting "Lydford Forest Plan questionnaire" where feedback and comments can be left. The questionnaire will be available until the 13th October.

    You can contact Forestry England by emailing them: westenglandplanning@forestryengland.uk

    Parish Cemetery Maintenance

    By Featured, News, Parish Council, Parish Council News

    Parish Cemetery - New bench and new contractor

    Over the winter period the Parish Council have been advertising for a new contractor to mow and maintain the Parish Cemetery. It has been difficult to find someone willing to take the work on for a number of reasons but we are hopefully about to conclude negotiations with a local company to carry out the work.

    During the annual inspection the Parish Councillors noticed that the bench and noticeboard were in a state of disrepair. Both have been replaced using donations to pay for the new bench and noticeboard. The bench is already in place and the new noticeboard is being manufactured and will soon be in place.

    Thanks to Cllr Fraser for her hard work sourcing, ordering and installing the bench and removing the old one.

    Photo ID now needed when voting

    By Featured, Parish Council, Parish Council News

    Don't forget your photo ID when voting

    A change in the rules relating to voting now means that you must show photographic ID when voting.

    Acceptable forms of identification are:

    • Passport
    • Driving Licence
    • Blue Badge
    • Older Persons Bus Pass
    • Defence Identity Card
    • Biometric immigration Document
    • PASS Card (Identity card bearing
      the Proof of Age Standards Scheme
      hologram)

    If you do not have any of these documents you can apply for a free Voter ID document. Full details are on the poster and at www.electoralcommission.org.uk

    2023 Mayoral Awards – Nominations Open

    By Community Information, Featured, News, Parish Council

    Press Release

    The following press release has been issued by West Devon Borough Council:

    West Devon Mayoral Awards Now Open

    Issued: 23 January 2023

    Nominations are open for the 2023 West Devon Borough Council Mayoral Awards, which recognise deserving people providing valuable contributions to the community.
    The Borough Council is looking for outstanding people who deserve public recognition for their unpaid work or contribution. Whether an individual, group or an organisation, the Council wants to hear about them.
    The Mayoral Awards have now been running for a fantastic 25 years. They have celebrated the outstanding achievements of a wide range of people who have done something significant to benefit the Borough.
    Some past winners have enhanced the reputation of West Devon nationally, while others have contributed hugely to the conservation and protection of the Borough’s beautiful natural environment.
    The four categories this year are:
    • The West Devon Mayoral Award for Under 18s
    • The West Devon Mayoral Award for Over 18s / Organisation
    • The Mayor’s Green Award
    • Long Service Award
    The Long Service Award, which was introduced for the first time last year, recognises those who have worked behind the scenes, contributing to their community over a number of years.
    The Green Award covers a wide range of environmental or sustainable areas, such as recycling, improving biodiversity or green transport. If you know someone who is ‘green fingered’ or doing their bit to combat climate change, this award is a great way to celebrate their achievements.
    Nominations close on Friday 17 February 2023.

    Mayor of West Devon, Cllr Caroline Mott, said: “With life difficult for many it is even more important for us to value and recognise those who strive to make a difference in their communities.

    “Please use this opportunity to nominate someone who has made a difference in the Borough so that they may be considered for an award. It is always a joy to read through the nominations even though it is a difficult task to name a final winner.

    “All those nominated will receive a certificate to recognise their endeavours with the winners invited to receive their award after the Hub Committee meeting on Tuesday 7 March 2023."

    Judges will include the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and two other Councillors. The winners will receive their awards at a ceremony planned for Tuesday 7 March 2023 at the Council Officer, Kilworth park, Tavistock.
    If you know someone who you think is deserving of an award, you can complete a nomination form, giving us details of why you think they should receive one.

    To access the nomination forms and for more information visit: https://www.westdevon.gov.uk/mayors-awards

    Drainage maintenance

    By Community Information, Featured, News, Ongoing Community Issues, Parish Council, Parish Council News

    Brentor Lengthsman

    Unfortunately our Parish Lengthsman will be out of action with immediate effect for 8 to 10 weeks due to sudden illness.  Work had only started in the Parish so there are likely to be areas where the drains are not working properly during periods of heavy rainfall, especially now that all the leaves are off the trees.

    Should this be causing flooding near you,  I would advise that you call MY DEVON on 0345 1551004 and ask for Highways, this will connect you to the emergency helpline who will be happy to help.

    Let’s Talk Pre-Teens

    By Featured, Parish Council

    Let;s talk Pre-Teens

    The South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership have been working with a wide range of partners to produce a toolkit to support parents of pre-teens (9-12 year olds).  This has been developed as a result of the resounding success of the Let’s Talk Teenagers programme that has seen 2497 engagements with parents and carers so far.  FREE online sessions through the Let’s Talk programme for parents and carers of pre-teens are available this month.

    The Let’s Talk program is designed to increase parent and carers knowledge around the key risks whilst giving simple tools and techniques to help them support their child.  As a partnership we acknowledge that parenting can be really difficult, especially in such challenging times.  We want to get these resources to as many parents as possible and we need your help!  We would be really grateful if you could share the information included in this email with all your contacts and communities so we can reach as many parents and carers as possible.  From the 2nd of January we will be running a social media campaign through Devon County Council so if you have social media please share the posts.

    Tickets are free and available at Let's Talk Pre-Teens.

    The topics covered will be as follows:

    Tuesday 17th January 2023

    • Biology
    • Difficult emotions
    • Substance misuse

    Tuesday 24th January 2023

    • Relationships
    • Exploitation
    • Pornography
    • Societal Stereotypes

    Tuesday 31st January 2023

    • Physical risks
    • Safety planning
    • Mental health
    • Self-care

    Cost of Living Advice

    By Featured, Parish Council

    Cost of Living Special – how and where to find support this winter

    West Devon Community and Volunteer Services have produced a factsheet with lots of advice to help during the cost of living crisis. You can read it by clicking the button on the right.

    There are several sections:

    1. Foodbanks and transport
    2. Warm spaces
    3. Money, Debt and Benefits Advice
    4. Funding for Individuals
    5. Funding for Groups

    As well as the factsheets there is lots of information on their website, In Touch Tavi, click here to visit this excellent resource.

    Brentor Car Park charging proposal

    By Brentor Church, News, Ongoing Community Issues, Parish Council

    A site meeting about the proposed introduction of charges at Brentor Church car park was held on Monday 18th July.  It was attended by Andrew Watson (Estates Officer) and Richard Drysdale (Communities Officer) of Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA), Helen Harris, Rob Harris and Christopher Pancheri from Brentor PCC, Gary Hunt (Chairman of Brentor Parish Council (BCC), Terry Pearce of WDBC and BCC, and two other councillors from Brentor Parish Council, Caroline Mott , and Philip Sanders representing Devon County Council (DCC) and DNPA. Carol and Colin Sergant represented the bell ringers. (more…)

    Transparency Code and Annual Return

    By Parish Council

    Annual Audit Documents 2022-23

    ANNUAL AUDIT DOCUMENTS 2021-2022
    Notice of Public Rights
    Accounting Statements
    Annual Governance Statement
    Bank reconciliation
    Expenditure over £100
    Annual Internal Audit Report
    Explanation-of-Variances-2021-22
    Register of assets

    ANNUAL AUDIT DOCUMENTS 2020-2021

    Notice of Public Rights
    Accounting Statements
    Annual Governance Statement
    Bank Reconciliation
    Expenditure over £100
    Internal Audit explanation of variances
    Register of Assets

    ANNUAL AUDIT DOCUMENTS 2019-2020

    Notice of exercise of public rights

    Accounting statements
    Annual Governance statement  
    Bank reconciliation
    Expenditure over £100  
    Internal audit  
    Explanation of variances
    Register of assets

    ANNUAL AUDIT DOCUMENTS 2018-2019
    Notice of exercise of public rights
    Accounting statements
    Annual Governance statement
    bank reconciliation
    Expenditure above £100
    Internal Audit
    explanation of variances
    Register of Assets

    ANNUAL AUDIT DOCUMENTS 2017-2018
    Notice of date of commencement
    Rights to view accounts
    Accounting Statements
    Annual Governance Statement

    TRANSPARENCY CODE
    Expenditure over £100
    Bank Reconcilliation
    Annual Internal Audit Report
    Analysis of variances
    Register of Assets

    ANNUAL AUDIT DOCUMENTS 2016-2017
    Notice of Conclusion of audit
    Accounting statements
    Annual governance statement
    Declaration of status of published accounts
    Notice of date of commencement

    TRANSPARENCY CODE
    Expenditure above £100
    Bank Reconciliation 28.03.17
    Explanation of variances
    Explanation of variances(2)
    Internal audit
    Register of Assets

    ANNUAL AUDIT DOCUMENTS 2016
    Accounting Statements
    Bank Reconciliation
    Significant variances
    Explanation of significant variances
    Annual Governance statement
    Internal Audit Report
    Expenditure above £100
    Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (c.2)
    Notice of date of commencement period
    Declaration of status of published accounts
    Notice of conclusion of audit

    The Growing Communities fund

    By Community Information, News, Parish Council

    The Growing Communities Fund has just been launched by Devon County Council and is intended to support proactive, effective, measurable, and sustainable actions to enable individuals and communities to build self-reliance and community resilience, reduce food and fuel inequalities and improve mental health and wellbeing and respond to the climate emergency.
    A wide range of groups and organisations can apply including ‘host’ organisations. The Growing Communities Fund will provide grant awards of between £500-£1000 and £1000-£3,000 (though we will enter discussions with applicants who have exemplary or innovative projects).   The grants of between £1,000 and £3,000 will be reimbursed upon receipt of an end of project report outlining what the funds paid for and the impact and outcomes. (more…)

    Cost of Living payments

    By Community Information, News, Parish Council

    Millions of people on means-tested benefits are receiving the first of two cost of living instalments totalling £650 from 14 July 2022, as part of a £37 billion government package to help families with cost of living pressures.

    The first £326 instalment for qualifying low-income households in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland by their usual payment method continue to the end of the month. For those eligible, the rest will follow in a second instalment in the autumn. (more…)

    USO Broadband survey

    By Community Information, News, Ongoing Community Issues, Parish Council

    Full Fibre to the Property Broadband has now arrived in Brentor village. Unfortunately only a relatively small proportion of properties in Brentor are able to make use of this facility, the  majority still need alternative methods with poor speed and/or reliability/cost issues.

    In order to encourage OpenReach to complete coverage of the whole of Brentor Parish, over the coming weeks, one of your Parish Councillors will be visiting you with a short list of questions about the availability of broadband in your home and what your broadband requirements may be. The information you provide will be collated and used to try to improve the broadband service to all homes in our Parish. OpenReach have already installed a dedicated fibre from Tavistock to Brentor – we are now working to get OpenReach and/or Airband to extend coverage to the whole of Brentor.

    (more…)

    Ongoing community issues

    By Community Information, News, Ongoing Community Issues, Parish Council

    This website provides a source of information about issues which are of ongoing concern in our village.  They first appear on the home page, but require additional space to do them justice and to provide a timeline of how important matters are progressing.

    Click here for information about Broadband provision for Brentor

    Click here for information about Local Needs Housing provision in Brentor

    Click here for information about the possible new railway line through Brentor (part of the Dawlish alternative route)

    Click here for information about flooding and surface water management in Brentor