A little thing that will make life easier for so many
#rentreform #fourleggedfriends #furbabies

HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE XLINK PROJECT

The Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project is a proposal to create 11.5 GW of renewable generation, 22.5 GWh of battery storage and a 3.6 GW high-voltage direct current interconnector to carry solar and wind-generated electricity from Morocco to the UK. Morocco... has been hailed as a potential key power generator for Europe as the continent looks to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The Morocco – UK Power Project was designated as a project of National Significance in 2023 and has 3.6GW connection agreements with the National Grid in North Devon for the Moroccan site to supply 3.6GW of reliable, clean power to the UK for an average of 20 hours a day. Enough green energy to power about 7 million heat pumps all year round.

Xlinks will speed up the UK’s transition to net zero by laying a giant subsea cable to connect a huge renewable energy farm in the Moroccan desert with Alverdiscott and Abbotsham in North Devon.
If built, the 4,000km cable will be the world's longest undersea power cable, and would supply up to 8% of the UK's electricity consumption.

Xlinks will also build a 1,500 sq mile solar, wind and battery facility in the Province of Tan-Tan, Morocco – an area that has twice the solar intensity of the UK and consistently strong trade winds.
The project will begin supplying the UK with energy in the early 2030’s diversifying UK supply routes and boosting energy security.
Once up and running, Xlinks is expected to deliver power at £48/MWh¹, comparable with the price of offshore wind.

About the opportunities and impact on our corner of Devon, Xlink have said,

“We are committed to explore all opportunities to contribute to social and economic development in Devon, including through the tender of work packages during the construction of the project and through the establishment of a community benefit fund.
It is our priority to be a good neighbour to Devon’s communities and natural environment. We aim to deliver a net positive environmental impact for biodiversity.
Finally, our project represents nationally-significant action in line with the principles of the Devon Climate Declaration.”

“All cables will be installed underground, with land reinstated to its previous use. There will be no permanent infrastructure above-ground along the route.
At the converter station site, the design process will use substantial screening to minimise visual impact.
Post-construction noise will be minimal, with very few moving parts, occasional inspections and maintenance, and a small operational team.”
https://xlinks.co/morocco-uk-power-project/

The Xlink project is going through a further round of consultation and all documents are online at your local library NOW.

@laboururalaffairs @followers Cllr Isabel Saxby for Bere Ferrers Bideford Labour Branch #EastTheWater
#alverdiscott
#Abbotsham
#xlinks
#greenenergy
#GreatBritishEnergy
#northdevoncoast #northdevon
#netzero
#solarpower
#windpower
#fossilfuels
#heatpumps
#energysecurity
#underseapowercable
#renewableenergy
#LabourManifesto
#bidefordeast #bideford

Morocco-UK Power Project - Xlinks

What is the Morocco - UK Power Project? The Morocco-UK Power Project, Xlinks’ flagship project, will supply millions of British homes with ...

xlinks.co

Hello and a very Happy New Year!

I would like to invite you to a Torridge Labour Branch social at the Pollyfield Community Centre, Avon Road, Bideford, EX39 4BL on Thursday, January 16 from 6-9pm.

The skittle alley is booked from 6-7:30 and it’s a chance to have a chat and a ...drink, so please feel free to bring a friend or two! The bar will be open too and it’s the perfect opportunity to meet up with other members as 2025 gets underway.

There is no formal agenda for the evening – the branch officers would love to hear from you on the night about any issues or topics affecting you and your local area.

I look forward to seeing you at the Pollyfield Centre tomorrow.

Kind regards,

Emma Robbins
Torridge Labour Branch Chair

https://www.devon.gov.uk/news/take-16-days-of-action-to-end-violence-against-women-and-girls/

Take '16 Days of Action' to end violence against women and girls - News

From the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 right through to December 10, events will take place across...

www.devon.gov.uk

SIGN THIS PETITION: Parents scared for children as Bideford College bus axed.
Devon County Council has unveiled a proposal to scrap a school bus from Westward Ho! to Bideford College after improvements were made to the alternative walking route.
Parents have responded saying their kids will... have to navigate poorly-lit, isolated narrow lanes at risk of flooding and with little or no moblie phone coverage.
Local parent, Laura Gould has started a petition appealing this decision which you can sign via this link:
https://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=60&RPID=9320075&$LO$=1
This ePetition only runs until 02/12/2024 so please take a moment to sign it asking Devon County Council to reconsider their decision. Our children have a right to travel to school in safety.
@followers Cllr Isabel Saxby for Bere Ferrers Bideford Labour Branch Bideford Labour Discussion Young Devon Devon Youth Council North Devon Gazette Northam Town Council North Devon Journal Torridge District Council #westwardho #schoolbus
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgl19r9327o

Parents in Devon scared for children as school bus axed

Devon County Council says parents have the right to appeal the plan to scrap the bus service.

www.bbc.co.uk

In the last few weeks there has been much debate, rhetoric and misinformation, both locally and nationally, about the impact of Rachel Reeves budget on our farmers.

The BBC verify story which puts the issue in perspective is summarised here:
As Paul Johnson says - only the... most valuable farms will be impacted and a number of those are owned by wealthy investors like James Dyson who has bought farm land worth over £500 million deliberately to avoid Inheritance Tax!
"Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), an independent economy think-tank, told Sky News: "The changes will affect a remarkably small number of some of the most valuable farms."
He added: "[Farms are] still more generously treated, actually, than farms used to be in decades past."
The Treasury estimates that 500 estates including agricultural land will be affected by the agricultural property relief reform, per year.
Dan Neidle, an independent tax expert, says the number of actual farms, external affected is likely to be below 500 per year.
There were a total of 462 inherited farms valued above £1m in 2021-22, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), 345 valued between £1m and £2.5m; 80 at £2.5m to £5m and
37 above £5m.
Under the new rules, those 462 farms would be affected by the 20% inheritance tax on any value above £1m (not on the whole value).
However, as Mr Neidle points out, like for the rest of the population, there is no inheritance tax to be paid on the value of property up to £325,000, bringing the untaxed total to £1.325m.
If a farmer is married, his or her spouse would be able to pass on another £1.325m tax free, taking the total untaxed amount to £2.65m. There were 117 farms valued above £2.5m in 2021-22, according to the HMRC figures.
In addition, there is an £175,000 tax-free allowance on a main residence when it's being passed on to children or grandchildren. This brings the total untaxed amount for a farming couple to up to £3m.
Steve Reed, the secretary of state for the environment, food and rural affairs, confirmed the "vast majority" of farmers will not be affected by changes. Writing in the Telegraph, he said "only the richest estates will be asked to pay".

To read the full article follow this link:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8rlk0d2vk2o

#Budget2024 #inheritancetax #farmlife @followers Cllr Isabel Saxby for Bere Ferrers Labour Torrington Bideford Labour Branch Appledore Farmers Market Hartland Farmers' Market UK Devon Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs North Devon Group of Young Farmers Clubs

How many farms would be affected by Budget changes?

Estimates of the number of farms affected range from 100 to 70,000.

www.bbc.co.uk

https://youtu.be/v11ePz2SLjM
Share your views on the Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4), the strategic document that sets out the priorities for transport across the county between 2025 and 2040.
...https://www.devon.gov.uk/haveyoursay/consultations/devon-and-torbay-local-transport-plan-4/
#devonlife #devontravel #ConnectingCommunities

Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 4

The Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) is the strategic document that sets out the priorities for transport across the county between ...

youtu.be