Latest news with #TorbayCouncil
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Two schools to lose hearing impairment units
A children's charity said it was "very disappointed" with plans to shut specialist hearing units at two schools in Torquay. Torbay Council's overview and scrutiny committee agreed to go ahead with the planned unit closures at St Margaret's Primary School and The Spires College. Councillor Nick Bye, cabinet member for children's services, said the council commissioned 16 education health and care plan (EHCP) places, but only five children were in the placements. Deputy director of local engagement at the National Deaf Children's Society, Martin Thacker, said deaf children would struggle without the support. A petition against the plans gained more than 1,600 signatures and a protest was held in the town's centre ahead of the decision. Mr Thacker added: "Without this support, deaf children can fall behind in lessons, struggle to build relationships with classmates, and experience low self-esteem and confidence. "Hearing resource provisions are vital for the wellbeing of deaf children and mean they can thrive within mainstream schools alongside their hearing classmates." Councillor Bye said the closures of the units would not lead to a "change in support". "It's absolutely a continuation of support, it's no change to support, it's just the way we're funded," he said. "There is a different funding model. Money will follow the individual pupil." St Margaret's Academy previously said the council only counted children with an EHCP and not other hearing-impaired youngsters which it also supported. Felicity Morris, secretary of the parent teachers association at St Margaret's, said the council was taking away specialist support "without meaningful or lawful consultation". "Parents were not consulted," she said. "Qualified teachers of the deaf were excluded. The heads of both schools weren't asked. They were just told. "This is not only morally wrong but also legally risky. It is not about buildings and budgets – it's about deaf children, and whether this council will stand by them. "Don't close the doors on the only spaces where they are truly understood." Councillor Bye said there were similar numbers of hearing impaired children attending other schools in the Bay, which do not have a hearing impairment unit. "They flourish there. Surely with the great history and tradition at both St Margaret's and Spires they should be able to flourish there and I'm sure they will," he said. The committee conceded the consultation and information could have been handled better. Mr Thacker said the charity was considering its response to the council's decision. More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Anger at closure of school hearing impairment unit National Deaf Charity's Society
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Airshow weekend 'brings £5m boost' to Torbay trade
Business leaders believe this year's English Riviera Airshow has brought in millions of pounds of trade to the area. The third and final day of the event took place on Sunday, with aircraft including the Red Arrows and RAF Typhoon Display Team taking to the skies above Paignton Green. Thousands of people have attended the free event during the three days it has been on, which has helped bring at least £5m of trade to Torbay, according to English Riviera Business Improvement District chief executive Carolyn Custerson. She said the financial boost the event had given the area meant it was in a "good position" for the future. Ms Custerson said: "The airshow is going to be worth at least £5m to Torbay's visitor economy and we see a great return on investment. "For every pound we invest, we see £15 returned. "So we've got now in a good position to take the event forward." More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Traders who set up stalls at the airshow said it had been a "phenomenal" weekend with the large crowds attending. James Guthrie, from Torbay Gin, said: "We did strong sales on Saturday and the crowds were just wooed by the Red Arrows and the Typhoon that came in. "It was a great day for business." Councillor Jackie Thomas, cabinet member for tourism, culture and events at Torbay Council, said holding such an event when other airshows, such as Bournemouth and Teignmouth, were either not happening or unlikely to happen this year due to funding issues was a big boost. "We have managed to keep going and you can see what a spectacular event that we have produced," she added. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Thousands flock to action-packed day at airshow Airshow pilots looking to 'give something back' Devon's English Riviera Airshow set for take off English Riviera Airshow English Riviera BID Torbay Council
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man killed in Devon road crash with bin lorry
A man has died following a road crash involving a bin lorry in Devon, police say. Emergency services were called to the incident at Higher Warberry Road, Torquay, at about 12:45 BST on Tuesday. Devon and Cornwall Police said a man from the area in his 20s had died at the scene and the incident had been raised with the Health and Safety Executive. The BBC has approached Torbay Council, which is responsible for local waste collections, for comment. More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Devon and Cornwall Police has asked witnesses and anyone with relevant information or dashcam footage to get in contact. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Crash leaves one person seriously injured Man dies in motorcycle crash in Plymouth
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man killed in Devon road crash with bin lorry
A man has died following a road crash involving a bin lorry in Devon, police say. Emergency services were called to the incident at Higher Warberry Road, Torquay, at about 12:45 BST on Tuesday. Devon and Cornwall Police said a man from the area in his 20s had died at the scene and the incident had been raised with the Health and Safety Executive. The BBC has approached Torbay Council, which is responsible for local waste collections, for comment. More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Devon and Cornwall Police has asked witnesses and anyone with relevant information or dashcam footage to get in contact. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Crash leaves one person seriously injured Man dies in motorcycle crash in Plymouth
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Man killed in Devon road crash with bin lorry
A man has died following a road crash involving a bin lorry in Devon, police services were called to the incident at Higher Warberry Road, Torquay, at about 12:45 BST on Tuesday. Devon and Cornwall Police said a man from the area in his 20s had died at the scene and the incident had been raised with the Health and Safety BBC has approached Torbay Council, which is responsible for local waste collections, for comment. Devon and Cornwall Police has asked witnesses and anyone with relevant information or dashcam footage to get in contact.
