Equality Scheme: 2025-2029

Cost of Living

As a Council we have taken action to try and support our residents during the Cost of Living Crisis. We created a 'Cost of Living Help' page on our website. This site provides information on what support is available to our residents, from both local and central government. Additionally, there are links to community groups and charities who are able to give support to those struggling with rising living costs. Finally, there are a range of helpful tips and guides on a range of issues such as budgeting, debt advice, or being more energy efficient to help reduce utility bills.

We have also taken more direct action through the provision of hardship grants. Between April 2023 and January 2024, Torridge provided grants to 452 households within the district totalling over £330,000 worth of support.

Ukrainian Refugees

Torridge and North Devon Councils, in partnership with the Pickwell Foundation, have been helping Ukrainian refugees who have fled their home country. Through the Community Sponsorship programme, we have helped match sponsors offering their homes to those in need, as well as aiding movement into the private rented sector. So far, as of 2024, 33 households have been supported by the scheme.
 

Health Intervention Scheme, Active Torridge

In September 2023, the Council-owned leisure company Active Torridge was awarded funding to work in partnership with local NHS Social Prescribers to provide 100 residents with access to the Health Intervention scheme. There is a specific focus to engage with those who would currently struggle to access leisure facilities due to costs.

Victoria Park, Bideford

The rejuvenation of a play area in Bideford's Victoria Park was designed to be as inclusive as possible. It included the construction of accessible play equipment such as a wheelchair friendly roundabout. The park was opened in April 2024.

Armed Forces Covenant

On the 16th of February 2022, the Council signed and renewed the Armed Forces Covenant. This demonstrated our commitment to ensuring that those who serve or have served will be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they served.

Northam Burrows Visitor Centre

In 2023, through the North Devon Coast Area of Natural Beauty "Access for All" programme, the Council was able to extend and make improvements to the track between the raised car parking area and the visitor centre. These accessibility improvements mean that it is now easier for all people to access the sites facilities such as the museum, café, disabled toilets and changing facilities.

Additionally, as part of the work in renovating the visitor centre we were able to provide one of the few 'Changing Places' facilities in the local area. This is a scheme which provides accessible toilets and changing rooms.
 

Holsworthy Men's Shed

In September 2024, the Community & Resources Committee voted to provide a rent concession to the Holsworthy Men's Shed.
Men's Sheds are charitable organisation which aim to reduce loneliness and isolation, largely to address issues with men's mental health - though membership is open to all.

At the Men's Shed the members enjoy woodworking, metal working and have the opportunity to chat, and make new friends. The Men's Shed achieves interaction with others, making friends, and keeping active. It is a space to meet likeminded people and gives the opportunity to share skills, have a sense of purpose, and reduces the feeling of loneliness in a safe and friendly space.

Youth Investment Fund

In 2022, TDC's Community Safety Partnership was involved in promoting (as well as providing guidance for) eligible local youth organisations to apply for funding from the Youth Investment Fund - Phase 2. This funding aims to drive positive outcomes for young people, including improved mental and physical wellbeing, and skills for life and work.

Homeless & Rough Sleepers Scheme

It was announced in October 2022 that in order to combat the housing crisis taking place in Torridge, and the rest of the South West. Torridge launched a £1.5m three-party partnership with the central government and Resonance (a social impact property fund manager) to tackle the most serious aspects of the crisis, revolving around rough sleepers and households suddenly threatened with homelessness.

Resonance will use the funds to purchase and refurbish properties, which will then be managed by another of the Council's long-term partners, Encompass. Encompass will also provide 1-to-1 support to tenants, covering issues such as managing finance and supporting those with complex needs. Units will be let an affordable rate, considerably lower than commercial rates, known as the "local allowance rate".

In the fullness of time the scheme and support packages are designed to enable tenants to transition from homelessness; gaining employment or training, saving for their future, and eventually making a move to their own private accommodation. As well as the homeless the scheme may also extend to vulnerable women and individuals with learning disabilities, which have also been a priority in other schemes.

Community Safety Partnership

Working with other public bodies to consider wider issues, such as crime prevention and anti-social behaviour, working together to improve the quality of life for residents.

Council Meetings

Ensure accessibility of Council meetings and events by using venues that are accessible wherever possible. There is a hearing loop installed in Bideford Town Hall. A lift is also available making all floors accessible.

Customer Services Reception

Torridge's customer service reception at Riverbank House was designed with full accessibility and includes hearing loop facilities and disabled toilet facilities.

Communications

We take steps to make all information as accessible and as easy to read as possible and we provide alternative methods of communication when required, including large print letters, telephone calls, visits and translations.
 

Council Tax Assistance

Providing financial assistance for those in need of help towards the cost of Council Tax.
 

Affordable Housing

Assistance with applications to the 'Devon Home Choice' housing register.
 

Disabled Facilities Grants

Available to assist with the cost of improving access to, and facilities within properties (e.g. stair lifts, ramps etc.)

Car Parks

The Council provides 55 spaces in its public car parks dedicated for the use of disabled residents and visitors.
 

Accessible Toilets

Public toilets across the district include facilities for disabled users.
 

Waste & Recycling
We provide assisted collections to those unable to comply with the requirements of our kerbside collections.

Dementia Awareness
Some customer facing officers have had dementia champion training.

Pay Parity
The council monitors male/female pay differentials and the difference between the salary of the Chief Executive and the lowest grade of pay in the Council.

Taking Complaints Seriously
The Council has a robust complaints process in place to ensure that complainants are treated with courtesy and complaints are investigated fully and promptly.

Disability Awareness
Consideration is given to disabled facilities as part of the development process for new projects.

Encouraging Whistleblowers
Employees can confidentially disclose their concerns about apparent wrong doings such as fraud, malpractice, breach of any health and safety law, or any other illegal act, either on the part of management or by fellow employees. The Council seeks to protect a person's identity when they raise a concern and do not want their name to be disclosed.
 

Tackling Hate Crimes
Hate crime monitoring and regional actions are reported at the North Devon and Torridge Community Safety Partnership (CSP). As active members of the CSP, Torridge District Council has a coordinating role in raising awareness and implementing targeted actions to prevent and address hate crime.

Stopping Domestic Abuse
The Council have signed-up to GMB's Work to Stop Domestic Abuse Employment Charter. More than 270 staff are protected by the charter.
 

Westward Ho! Slipway
The slipway has been extended to improve access and to allow our Blue Flag beach to continue to be enjoyed by all. Future improvements, subject to funding from the Environment Agency, are to be incorporated into FCERM works (Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management) at Westward Ho! which will consider accessibility for all.

Torridge Website
Our website content follows web-accessibility standards, including access keys, screen readers and changeable font sizes. We have provided the option of using software, Reciteme , to deliver increased functions of accessibility. Our website can be translated into many different languages.
 

Equality and Information Support
Our website provides a list of information and support (both local and national) relating to the protected characteristics.

Torridge District Council seeks to provide a diverse range of support to local communities, financially and through the provision of information, advice and guidance.

Councillors are each given money through the Councillor Grants scheme, this is used to fund or donate to groups within a member's ward. In 2023/2024, the Councillor Grant for each member was £1,000. Some of the projects that were supported through the scheme are as follows:

East the Water Pantry - Food supplies for the pantry

Westward Ho! Men's Shed - Purchase of a Pillar Drill

Friends of Holsworthy Primary School - Donation to the hardship fund

Shebbear School Support Group - Tablets for school

Holsworthy Food Project CIC - Donation to Holsworthy food hub and community fridge

Northern Devon Food Bank - Christmas fund

Bickford Rest Centre - New blinds

Torri Youth Club - projects

Winkleigh Warm Space - kitchen equipment

Donations to Tarka Child Contact Centre, Memory Lane Dementia Café, Young Carers

Taw and Torridge Voluntary Services - new project carers lunches

Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB)

In 2022, the Community & Resources Committee voted to increase the funding of Citizen's Advice to £38,000.

This local Charity provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice on all subjects to members of the local community that require it. They aim to ensure that no-one suffers through lack of knowledge of the rights, responsibilities, and services available to them, or through any inability to express their needs effectively.

Taw and Torridge Voluntary Services (TTVS)

TTVS has been representing and supporting the voluntary and community sector in Torridge since 1988 and the Council has provides a core grant of £16,900 to TTVS to help vulnerable people with day-to-day living and to help community groups start, grow and survive against a backdrop of shrinking funds. TTVS are in contact with over 380 voluntary and community groups, who can access a range of services and support as well as opportunities to meet and network with other organisations through events. Their Volunteer Centre has over 2,000 registered volunteers and can offer hundreds of
rewarding volunteering placements for individuals who want to get involved within their communities. TTVS also provides services to hundreds of carers, young carers and older people through dedicated projects.