Council to launch My Bay money-saving scheme for residents

Torbay Council is launching a new money-saving scheme called My Bay for people who live in Torbay.

Residents can sign up to receive a card giving entry to public toilets and access to exclusive deals at local businesses and attractions including leisure and retail (conditions apply).

They can also get a parking permit for an extra hour of free parking when they buy a ticket for an hour or more in most Council-run off-street car parks (conditions apply).

The My Bay scheme is designed to help residents save money and support the local economy by increasing footfall and spending with local businesses in Torbay.

People aged 16 and over living in Torbay can join the scheme and will receive a physical My Bay resident card after paying a £10 fee to cover administration costs.

The My Bay card can be used for £10 worth of access to public toilets (33 visits) in Torbay.

The scheme will go live for residents to use from 1 January 2025 after the Council's Cabinet approved the plans at its meeting in July 2024.

Councillors heard that the My Bay scheme could be worth between £45 and £75 per person during the year, based on full use of the toilets offer, 10 car park visits and use of other offers and discounts with local businesses.

Torbay residents will be able to apply for the scheme using Torbay Council's online customer service portal - My Torbay.

An 'early bird' sign-up period will run between September and November 2024.

Applicants will be asked to provide evidence that they live in Torbay and there will be a £10 non-refundable fee to cover administration costs.

Evidence of a driving licence, V5 vehicle registration document in their name and a Torbay address will be needed to get the parking permit.

Successful applicants will then be sent a physical card and physical parking permit in December 2024, both valid from 1 January 2025 for 15 months until 31 March 2026.

There will be a second chance to sign up in January and February 2025 to use the scheme during the 12-month period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

The scheme will then be reviewed annually.

More details of the discounts and offers from businesses and attractions will be publicised closer to the start of the first public sign-up period in September 2024.

Cllr David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council, said: "I am delighted we are able to bring forward plans for the My Bay scheme.

"We know the cost of living has spiralled in recent times, so we hope this scheme will help people get better value for their money and I encourage them to take advantage of the attractive offers that have been put together."

Cllr Adam Billings, Cabinet Member for Pride in Place and Parking, said: "We want to support local businesses as well as our residents and we expect the scheme to increase footfall and trade, so we are sure it will be welcomed by our business community as we work hard to regenerate our towns.

"We are keen to encourage people who live here to visit our town centres and attractions in increasing numbers, to save money, spend time out in our beautiful Bay, and make the most of what our fantastic local businesses and attractions have to offer all year round."

More about the My Bay scheme

The My Bay scheme will be available to people aged 16 and over who can provide evidence that they live in the Torbay Council area.

They will be able to sign up via Torbay Council's My Torbay online customer service portal. 

There will be a £10 non-refundable fee to cover the administration costs. A £5 administration fee will be charged for a replacement card or permit.

The physical My Bay resident card and physical parking permit will be sent out by post.

The card will give residents £10 worth of access to public toilets in Torbay, equivalent to 33 visits, to use by March 31 2026. The card can be 'swiped' at the card reader at the toilet barrier to gain entry.

The parking offer is for an hour of free parking when an hour or more is bought with a pay-and-display ticket at all Torbay Council off-street pay-and-display car parks.

The permit must be displayed alongside a physical pay-and-display ticket. The offer is not available for 24-hour tickets, on-street parking, pay-on-exit car parks or using the Ringo app.

The parking offer will be valid in car parks in Zones 1 to 3. The maximum time limit in short-stay car parks will still apply.

As hourly parking rates range from £1.50 to £1.70, if the permit is used 10 times, that would have a value to residents of at least £15.

The My Bay resident card will give access to exclusive offers across a range of businesses and attractions locally. It is estimated this could be worth between £20 and £50 a year to a customer, and the more it is used, the more value they will see.

In total, including parking, toilets and offers with businesses, it is estimated the scheme could be worth between £45 and £75 a year per person.

More information about the My Bay scheme will be available on our website at the start of the sign-up period in September 2024.

This will include a live list of business offers, how to apply for the scheme, terms and conditions of the scheme, and contact details.

You can find out more about the My Bay scheme and will be able to register for the My Bay email newsletter on our website.