Council Scheme to keep Homes Warm - Information for Landlords and Tenants

Teignbridge District Council has launched a new £20k drive to encourage private landlords to improve energy efficiency on their properties, offering funding up to£575 or 50% of work done. It could be loft and cavity wall insulation or installing condensing boilers or replacing a central heating system. This scheme is intended for tenants who are receiving a means tested benefit, or are over 70 years of age, or have a child under the age of 6 years old.
Landlords are the people to apply to the Council but tenants can make their Landlord aware. Apply:- housing@teignbridge.gov.uk or call 01626 215764.

Nick Harvey Minister of State for the Armed Forces

The Liberal Democrats played host to the Minister Nick Harvey MP from Barnstaple.
He entertained his listeners with a story of being winched up in a helicopter which was particularly difficult for him as he has a fear of heights.

After the dinner I was lucky enough to talk to the Minister regarding aftercare of military personnel suffering from mental health disorders.

Since 1995 I have tried to promote a charity organisation called 'Combat Stress'. The Minister tells me that through the campaigning of an Army Medical Doctor the charity has secured funding from the Government which ensures War Torn Soldiers are treated by Army Psychiatrists who know of the experiences suffered by our brave men and women fighting in such places as Afganistan.

More about Nick Harvey:- nickharveymp.com

Nifty Ways to Save Money

Teignbridge District Council are urging customers to pay their Council Tax and Business Rate payments by Direct Debit.
As an incentive there are prizes to win for people switching to DD between now and 31 March 2012. The prizes include a £25 shopping voucher and a months Gift of Health at Leisure facilities and swimming pools.
TDC point out that payments made over the counter cost £1.80 to £3. Non automated telephone calls cost around £2. Online and automated phone payments cost 75p. Direct Debit the cheapest at 24p.

To sign up to this offer on line visit www.teignbridge.gov.uk/payonline
or telephone 01626 21500.

Important News from Shelter

Anne Baxendale, Public Affairs Manager of Shelter writes: " From January and throughout 2012, current Local Housing Allowance claimants will start experiencing cuts to their Housing Benefit.

Any constituent struggling to pay their housing costs, please seek professional help as soon as possible from Shelter.

Details of how to find housing, debt or welfare benefits advice are available at : www.shelter.org.uk/getadvice.

Or go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Have Your Say on The Future of Kingsteignton

Happy New Year Kingsteignton.

You will be making a positive contribution to a Happier New Year if you take part in the Core Strategy which is going out to Consultation completing the Vision of the Area you live in. For Example. A Park and Ride site has been suggested for Kingsteignton. You can have your say on the site that it being planned . Is it on the right site? Is it necessary? We think so for the improvement of Air Quality.
Come along to Kingsteignton's final consultation on Saturday 11th February, 10am till 4pm being held at Kingsteignton Town Council, The Community Hall, Rydon Road.

For more Information please Click on the Link: www.teignbridge.gov.uk/planteignbridge

Merry Christmas to Kingsteignton

It is difficult to make time for Christmas being a Councillor. Thanks to my friends I have managed two Christmas Bazaars, The Mayor's Christmas Carol Service and a Carol Service for the Children's Society in St Michaels Church Hall.

The Mayor enthused at his idea for his charity. He will set up a Trust for young people to extend their knowledge through travel. The criteria needed would have to be an educational project which would be beyond the reach of parents to pay for.
Click here for link: www.kingsteignton.gov.uk.

The Children's Society Service was interesting. We sat at tables of six to meet new people. The nativity was acted out starting with Mary and Joseph calling at the door of the Inn, waking a sleeping Inn Keeper. Accompanied by the organist at a keyboard the Choir sang carols with us all joining in. We were then treated to coffee and mince pies.

Pick up a list of Carol Services throughout Christmas from the Library printed for the Combined Churches of Kingsteignton.

IMERYS CERAMICS New Business in Teigngrace

On the morning that Vince Cable announced his ideas to make it easier for businesses to take on apprentices Councillors from Kingsteignton West were hosted to a reception at the opening of Imerys new laboratories and offices at Brocks Plantation Teigngrace.

The new plant at Imerys covers 400 square metres. It has six individual laboratories for Research and Development and Quality Control.

One of the employees told me of his experience working at Imerys. He had been an apprentice during the 1970's and has been employed there full time for 25 years. Facilities were certainly not to the standard of the new Laboratories as they were working in huts and prefabricated buildings.

Imerys Ceramics is a world leading supplier of industrial solutions. From quarries and transformation plants Imerys have developed a comprehensive offering for the ceramic industries: raw materials, prepared bodies, glazes and engobes. Imerys has advanced Research and Development facilities in several continents. Among these are the new Eastern European countries which will help to strengthen their economies. This subject was spoken about in one of my earlier blogs by Sir Graham Watson MEP for the South West.

Are you a young person at school, interested in Chemistry and thinking of your options at school . Why not click on www.imerys-ceramics.com and see what they could offer you sometime in the future.

More about Imerys with photos in later blogs.....