THE BRAUNTON EXPRESS

February 2023

Parish Council Budgets for 2023/24

Braunton Parish Councillors have unanimously approved a budget for the year April 2023 – March 2024 and an associated precept of £190,875 (the amount of money the Council will need to fulfil that budget).

Every year, the Parish Council draws up its budget and calculates how much money it needs for the next Financial Year. This amount is then submitted to North Devon Council (NDC). NDC adds together its own demands with those of the County Council, the Police, Fire and Rescue Service and the Parish Council to establish an overall Council Tax rate to be paid by Braunton residents from 1st April of that year. For residents in a Band D property, Braunton Parish Council is asking for £61.73 per annum. Compared to 2022/23, this equates to an increase of 16 pence per week for the tax year 2023/24.

The main reason for this increase, in addition to inflation, is due to the Parish Council saving the only public conveniences in central Braunton. Due to the current financial pressures on local authorities NDC are reducing its non-statutory frontline services. Public conveniences are being transferred to the relevant parish/town councils, and where agreement cannot be reached prior to April 2023, those facilities areatriskofclosure.

As well as its statutory responsibilities as the local tier of Local Authority for the Parish, the Parish Council is also responsible for allotments, Braunton Parish Hall, car parks, Community Work Hub, Memorial Gardens, play parks, recreational ground, village green, Velator Quay, The Beacon, Tarka Trail (part), bus shelters, public seating, litter bins and dog waste bins, Christmas tree and lights and grass cutting. The precept is therefore an essential part of the Parish Council’s funding, without which it could not maintain a service that effectively and efficiently responds to the needs of our community.

Councillor Liz Spear, Chairman of Braunton Parish Council said: “To continue to provide vital services and facilities for our community the Parish Council has had to agree a very modest increase to the budget. Braunton Parish Council is committed to improving our service to the Parish through good financial management and planning, which is particularly important at a time when people’s personal and family budgets are being squeezed like never before.”

For further information please email info@brauntonparishcouncil.gov.uk

Braunton Parish Council to take on Public Conveniences

Braunton Parish Council met on Monday 19th December, and members unanimously voted to take on North Devon Council’s (NDC) public conveniences in the Caen Street Car Park. Due to financial pressures on local authorities, NDC approved a recommendation which will see public conveniences handed over to town/parish councils. Should communities choose not

Braunton Parish Council members agreed that public conveniences are seen as a vital facility in our community and the closure of them would not be an option. The Parish Council have therefore agreed to take on this asset from 1 April 2023, with a phased transfer for the cleaning up until March 2024.

The Chair of Braunton Parish Council, Councillor Liz Spear says, “For people who live in the village and people visiting the village they are an important facility. The closure of this vital service would have a detrimental impact on the community and local traders. Braunton Parish Council are committed to continue to provide and improve services across the parish”.

Braunton Parish Council

Chaloners Road

Braunton

Devon, EX33 2ES

Phone: 01271 812131

Email: info@brauntonparishcouncil.gov.uk

Web: www.brauntonparishcouncil.gov.uk

Facebook.com/BrauntonParishCouncil

Twitter: @brauntonparish

Hours: 09.00 - 12.00 Monday - Friday

Tracey Lovell, Clerk to the Council

Angela Corner, Senior Council Officer

Meetings Calendar 2023

Full Council meetings are currently being held in the Parish Hall and additional meetings, to primarily consider planning applications, are currently being held virtually. Please note the change of day of theFullCouncilmeetings.

7pmTuesday14thFebruary2023

7pmMonday27thFebruary2023

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Phone - James 07794268963

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Please call for any requirements you may have. Based in Braunton, serving North Devon

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Northern Devon residents will need photo ID to vote at elections in May

For the first time, residents in Torridge and North Devon districts, and across the UK, will need to show photographic ID to vote at this year’s local elections, which take place on 4th May in northern Devon. Residents are being urged to plan ahead and make sure they are ready to vote by checking they have access to one of the accepted forms of ID.

The forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for a free ID online or by completing a paper form when the application process opens in a few weeks’ time.

The changes have been decided by the Government and the full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID, at electoralcommission.org.uk/ voterID.

Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission, said:

“

Anyone voting at a polling station in England this May will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper. It’s important that everyone understands what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it. You can find information about the new requirement and what to expect at the polling station on the Electoral Commission’s website.”

Councillor Simon Newton – Lead Member for Legal and Democratic Support at Torridge District Council, said:

“

The next elections will soon be with us in May 2023 so it's a good idea to check if you have a valid ID and if not that you apply now for one of the free forms of ID that will be acceptable. We would also recommend that family members check with relatives such as the elderly, or others that may need their help, to ensure they don’t lose their right to vote in person. Alternatively it might also be an opportunity to register to vote by post, which is another convenient method people might wish to consider.”

Councillor David Worden, Leader of North Devon Council, said:

“

As well as the new Photo ID process anyone who wants to have their say in the elections this May must also be registered to vote. It only takes five minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Voters wishing to apply to their council for free ID should first make sure they are registered to vote. As usual officers in both authorities will also be on standby to support residents who require further help.”

Anyone requiring further advice should check online in the first instance or call their respective electoral services team –www.torridge.gov.uk/elections 01237 428739 or https:// www.northdevon.gov.uk/ elections/ 01271 388277

Cody is a handsome three-year-old Beagle looking for an active home.

A typical hound, he loves to go off on long walks and use his nose to have a good sniff and is happy to jump in the car to get to new exciting locations. When Cody is excited, or spots something of interest out on his walk, he will give off his Beagle howl! Cody does not mind if other dogs join him on walks. He is happy to have a quick meet and greet but prefers calm dogs as he does not want too much interaction from them. Cody loves his food and treats and he knows how to ‘sit’. Although shy initially, Cody adores people, and having a fuss and a snuggle. He loves human company and is happiest when he is with his humans.

Cody is looking for a loving home where he can spend the most amount of time possible with his humans. He could share a home with teenage children, but would need to be the only pet. Any time left alone in the home will need to be built up very gradually. Cody will need his humans to come and visit him a few times at the rehoming centre prior to adoption to build up a bond.

If you think you could give Cody the loving home that he deserves please take a look at his profile on Dogs Trust’s website www.dogstrust.org.uk/ rehoming to begin the adoption process.