Annual Full Council Agenda published
The agenda for next Thursday’s Annual Full Council is now published and available here.
News from the Slapton Line Partnership
Many will have already heard the good news on funding for improvements to the sea defences at Torcross, but it’s worth repeating the announcement here for those who haven’t yet seen it:
The Environment Agency Business Case and funding of £19.8m have been approved for the proposed rock armour scheme in front of the Torcross sea defences.
This is a critical first step but delivering this project within 2026 remains a very considerable challenge. The Environment Agency and our contractors are working at pace on design, sourcing materials, and securing the necessary consents, licences and permissions – each of which could affect delivery.
Our priority remains reducing the risk of damage to homes and businesses in Torcross as soon as possible. The approved project is to mitigate for beach loss by installing rock armour from the access steps at the south end of the beach, to the slipway at the northern end.
Discussions with Devon County Council and South Hams District Council are continuing regarding the Torcross car park and road beyond the slipway. Together with Devon County Council and South Hams District Council, we are planning a joint public event before the summer holidays when we expect to have a clearer idea of how the project is progressing and be able to provide more details.
The Slapton Line Partnership continues to work together across Start Bay to help manage coastal change and encourage adaptative planning for the future.
The People’s Emergency Briefing – free public film and community discussion – 3 June, 6.30pm
What does a changing climate mean for everyday life in the South Hams, and what choices do we still have?
Residents are invited to a free public screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing at Stokenham Parish Hall on 3 June, followed by a community discussion. The screening is part of a growing UK-wide programme of events aimed at helping communities engage with the big environmental challenges set to shape everyday life in the coming decades and to consider what they may mean for those of us who live here. The screening is organised by Stokenham Parish Council as part of its ongoing work to improve our environment and protect nature, alongside supporting healthier and more resilient communities.
In November 2025, more than 1,200 MPs, peers and leaders from business, culture, faith, sport and the media gathered at Westminster Central Hall for the National Emergency Briefing. This landmark event brought together leading experts to examine the UK’s exposure to a range of environmental and societal risks, and their implications for the future.
Introduced by Chris Packham CBE, the briefing explored how these connected challenges could affect areas such as food security, public health, infrastructure, the economy and national security, alongside evidence-based options for reducing risk and strengthening resilience.
This national event has now been adapted into a 50-minute public film, The People’s Emergency Briefing, which is currently being screened in communities across the UK. The film brings together leading scientists and thinkers to clearly explain the issues, while creating space for local communities to reflect on what these changes may mean in their own area and what constructive steps could be taken.
Naturalist Chris Packham said: “I’d encourage people everywhere to attend a screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing. It creates exactly the kind of honest local conversation we now urgently need, both about what these changes mean where we live, and about what we can do together to address them.”
Following the film, attendees will be invited to take part in a structured discussion designed to support open, respectful and practical conversation about the themes raised and their local relevance.
The event is intended to bring together residents, community leaders and decision-makers. Councillors and other influential local figures have been invited to attend and take part in the discussion.
Places are limited, so please register in advance to secure your free ticket here.
News from the Slapton Line Partnership
The Slapton Line Partnership Inland Roads working group is tasked with identifying and bringing about improvements to the back roads network that is providing traffic relief following the interruption to the A379 Slapton Line. This work focuses principally on increasing the number, usability, and visibility of passing places on the routes north out of Stokenham, Slapton and Strete, together with strategies to discourage visitor traffic from using anything other than the main roads via Totnes Cross for access, which includes liaison with the main SatNav data providers.
Minutes of the most recent Inland Roads working group meeting, held on 6 May, are available here.
Chillington Community Association committee minutes published
Minutes of a meeting of the CCA committee held on 20 April are published and available here.
April draft minutes published
Draft minutes of April’s Full Council meeting of Stokenham Parish Council are now published and available here.
South Hams Society responds to Local Government Reorganisation proposals
The South Hams Society have scrutinised central government’s proposals for local government reorganization (LGR) and you can read their full report here: LGR Consultation Submission[86].
Alternatively, you can read a shorter and more concise summary here: LGR summary.
It’s the usual thoughtfully put together response that we have come to appreciate from the South Hams Society, and will fully repay close attention.
Full Council Agenda published
The agenda for April’s Full Council meeting is now published and available here.
