General Discussion

I've just heard a rumour that is rapidly gaining ground about Teignbridge Council raising the annual rents of beach huts in Dawlish, Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth by about 50%. Apparently, previous annual increases have been in the region of 5%. This seems to be disproportionate and is grossly unfair and could be construed as a tax on local people enjoying themselves.

As it's a rumour perhaps you might contact one of Dawlish's TDC councillors and see what they have to say.

We have five TDC councillors in Dawlish - J. Petherick, L.Petherick, Taylor, Wrigley and Goodman-Bradbury.

Take your pick. 

I have been contacted by several of the beach hut owners and I can confirm that is correct information it's on TDC website Lynne

Thank you Linda. So it isn't a rumour then?

I did try looking on TDC 's website before I posted but couldn't find anything. So can you give me (and therefore others as well) the link to this info please. Thanks.

Okay so.........in the absence of any info regarding this proposed increase being on TDC's website if anyone reading this knows someone or knows someone who knows someone (you get the giste) who has received notification from TDC about an increase in rental costs please can that information be posted on here. eg what the charge was in 2021 and what is being proposed for 2022.

Thanks. 

Hi Lynne

The beach hut owners who have contacted me paid £488.06 last year the propose rent for 22/23 will be £750.  As a Teignbridge Councillor I will be robustly resisting this huge increase.  

Thank you.

Do you know the last time that there was an increase in rent for those renting on an annual basis? (as opposed to daily or weekly).

It has increased annually before by 5%

Thank you but that doesn't quite answer my question which was: when was the last annual increase? 

Have now found a link on TDC's website showing proposed fees (2022-2023) and previous fees. Look on page 2 of each fee schedule for info concerning Beach Hut Hire. I cannot see any reference to annual rental charges in the fees  for 2021-22, 2020-2021, and 2019-2020.

That is why I am asking when it was that the annual rental charges were last increased. 

https://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/finance/approved-fees-and-charges/

The last increase was last year and every other year before that 

I have raised thie issue of the beach hut increase at Teignbridge in the Overview and Scrutiny Committee yesterday. The proposed budget was an item on the agenda and I robustly advised that the vast increase could not be justified in beach hut rents.  The portfolio Holder for finance has advised me that he will reconsider the increase and I am waiting to hear what the outcome is going to be.

@Lindapetherick

Any further info on this?

I understand from TDC that they have 14 beach huts at Dawlish Warren, 11 of which are rented out on a yearly basis and that they have 24 beach huts at Coryton Cove, 21 of which are rented out on a yearly basis.

I've also now got (via a FOI) the annual increase in rental charges for the past 5 years.   

From the minutes of the recent Dawlish town council meeting;

"Councillor L. Petherick advised that

·         the previous matter of beach hut fees increasing would still go ahead, however a payment plan option would be introduced and it had been suggested there would be no increase in fees next year."