the boys n t door - The Braunton Neighbourhood Police Team The Braunton press - pages 32/33

We are now into October and this month brings two things, darker evenings and Halloween night on the 31st .

With the hour changing later this month it will start to get darker a lot earlier. Please check yours and your children’s bicycles for working lights. Too many cyclists are putting themselves in danger riding around without lights. It is an offence not to have working lights on your bikes while cycling during the hours of darkness Please don’t let yourself or your child become another road traffic statistic.

Halloween night or as its now commonly known as Trick or Treat is becoming more popular every year with large numbers taking part in Braunton. Most young children are escorted by an adult to keep them safe but as your children get older the pressure to let them go out on their own with friend’s increases. Please consider these safety tips to pass on to them to help keep them safe.

 Older children should let you know where they are going and when they will be back.  If possible, make sure they carry a mobile phone.  Remind your children not to enter anyone’s house.  Make sure they can be seen and stay in well lit areas and on pavements at all times.  Carry a torch and consider road safety at all times.  Be sensible when out in a group with other teenagers. Respect homeowners who do not want to answer their door or where the No Trick or Treat sign is displayed.  Warn them of the dangers they can get themselves into regarding the ‘trick’ part.

Tricks can go wrong; people could become aggressive, and it could land your child in a lot of trouble.  Do not throw items such as eggs or flour at people houses.

The Braunton Neighbourhood Team will be patrolling the area to make sure that everyone enjoys themselves and don't act in an anti-social manner. For those taking part, Halloween is meant to be fun. Please remember this so the evening can be enjoyed by all. Thank You.

PCSO ANDY FRISBY POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICER BRAUNTON VILLAGE Devon and Cornwall Constabulary Braunton Police Station, Station Road, Braunton, Devon EX33 2PS Telephone: 101. Ext 300001

Email: Andy.Frisby@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

THE BRAUNTON EXPRESS

October 2021

Braunton Parish Council Declare Housing Crisis

Braunton Parish Council is joining with other communities in North Devon to declare a housing emergency. The Council at its meeting on Tuesday 10 August unanimously voted to declare a Housing Crisis in Braunton. Some Braunton Parish residents are unable to remain within the community, causing:  families to be disconnected,  support networks to be disrupted or destroyed,  a loss of community cohesion,  detrimental mental health effects on residents and their children,  a disruption to the education of affected children, and  an environmental effect caused through increased journey lengths Chair of Braunton Parish Council, Councillor Liz Spear, says: “Calling a Housing Crisis highlights the urgency to provide affordable housing locally. It has become increasingly obvious that there is a growing problem arising out of second homes, and certainly since the Pandemic the issue of affordable homes, particularly for the younger generation, has become an even bigger issue locally”. With more people wanting to visit North Devon, tenants are being served notice and rentals are being turned into holiday accommodation. In addition to this the purchase of housing for holiday homes has created a perfect storm. Local people cannot afford the prices being asked for rented accommodation, and also there are just not enough properties for the number of rentals needed. To help tackle this issue Braunton Parish Council will be contacting North Devon Council to request that they consider the effect that Short Term Lets are having on the ability of the North Devon residents to afford and own their own homes in their home towns/villages. The Chair, Councillor Elizabeth Spear, says: “It is important that the Council works with other local authorities and organisations as it would not be possible to achieve the Council’s proposed target by working alone.”

The feedback we have received from the Police is that crimes in Braunton may be going unreported. Police resources in the area are assigned according to the figures.

To ensure the level of policing in Braunton represents the demand we all need to ensure that any incident is recorded which means reporting all crimes and antisocial behaviour in Braunton to the Police. There may be multiple incidents seen on social media but this would not increase the police presence and incidents will not be recorded unless reported through the official means.

All non-emergencies can be reported by dialing 101 or:

Report Crime Online – dc.police.uk/ crimereporting

Email 101 – 101@dc.police.uk This excerpt was taken from the Braunton Police Newsletter on taking the “Anti” away from Antisocial behaviour.

“Anti-social behaviour, also known as ASB, is linked to how safe people feel. Persistent ASB can have a significant impact on people’s lives. Groups displaying intimidating, abusive and rowdy behaviours are distressing for others, and will not be tolerated in Devon and Cornwall. We know there isn’t one simple solution to anti-social behaviour, but you can help us, and our partners take the ‘anti’ away from anti-social by reporting issues. Your reports help officers understand where the hotspots are.”

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 Jane Fewings, Admin Assistant

Meetings Calendar 2021

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 the Full Council meetings.

7pm Tues 12 October 2021 7pm Mon 25 October 2021 7pm Tues 12 November 2021 7pm Mon 25 November 2021

Agendas and minutes can be viewed on our website.