Coronavirus (Covid-19) update - Friday 3 September 2021
Please find below our latest Coronavirus (Covid-19) update for East Devon residents and businesses with information we hope will be of interest to you.
In this issue...
- New QR codes allow people in Exmouth to have 'chats' with tidal defence scheme
- Three households needed in experiment to reduce bills.
- What to do if you're made redundant
- Join LED Leisure and pay just £10 in September
- Wild East Devon Summer events
 Credit: Exmouth Town Council
QR codes have been placed around Exmouth which allow residents and visitors to have a ‘conversation’ with the Exmouth Tidal Defence Scheme.
The Environment Agency has launched the 12-month pilot with Hello Lamp posts, allowing people to have two-way 'chats' with objects in their local environment.
QR codes have been attached to parts of the tidal defence around Exmouth, and anyone with a smartphone can scan the QR code or text the number on the sign to begin a conversation.
Residents and visitors will be able to find out why the defences are needed and how they can reduce their own flood risk in a digestible, informative and playful way.
They’ll also be able to give feedback on the Exmouth Tidal Defence Scheme itself.
Are your fuel bills only going one way?
Would you like to see if there is a way of reducing your energy costs?
Is the thought of the rise in the energy cap making you worry?
We at EDDC are running a small project and are looking to recruit THREE households to see if we can help them reduce their fuel bills.
We will work with you to identify what you currently spend, to see if you are on the best tariff and if there is any little tweaks you can make to reduce your energy expenditure. I
If you are interested in finding out more then please get in touch with Catherine at environment@eastdevon.gov.uk and she can talk you through the process.
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A Devon house is the first in the new series of Grand Designs. It started with a budget of £835,000 budget and ended up costing £2.5m.
Hux Shard was inspired by Dartmoor's granite Tors. The story of how the ambitious zinc-clad five-bed home near Exeter was created is the subject of Grand Design's new series which was aired on Wednesday (September 1 2021) on Channel 4 at 9pm.
The house is gigantic, covering 6,000 sq ft, with five bedroom suites, a gym, cinema room, study, utility room, open plan kitchen and living-space.
 Families in the South West may be eligible for tax-free childcare to help pay for breakfast and after school clubs as children go back to school.
Families are eligible to save money on their childcare and benefit from a Government top-up worth up to £2,000 every year, or up to £4,000 a year if a child is disabled. In June 2021, about 29,250 families in the South West benefited from using tax-free childcare, but thousands are missing out on this opportunity.
Tax-free childcare is available to eligible parents or carers who have children aged up to 11, or 17 if their child is disabled. For every £8 a parent or carer deposits into their account, they will receive a £2 top-up, up to the value of £500 every three months, or £1,000 if their child is disabled.
Parents and carers can check their eligibility and register for Tax-Free Childcare via GOV.UK.
Tour of Britain to return to Devon
 Just a few more days until the start of the Tour of Britain cycle race.
Who will cross the finish line first at this years’ Tour of Britain Devon Stage?
It’s not long now until we find out! Taking place on Monday, 6 September.
 Lottery funding launched for eco projects in Devon
The National Lottery has launched a community fund called Together for Our Planet.
Community groups, charities, CIC and voluntary groups are being welcomed to apply, particularly those wanting run a first time project or who are just starting their eco journey.
Funding grants, between £1,000 to £10,000, are now being offered for projects, whether they are small or large - but they should reflect local concerns or priority action areas.
These could be activities that bring people together to talk about what matters to them and what they want to do, events to raise awareness or to reach other members of the community, or equipment to support something such as a community growing project.
The fund has been launched as the UK prepares to host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties between 31 October and 12 November.
This fund is designed to build on the interest and excitement of this international conference and to help nurture and develop local ideas through this funding, supporting a legacy of ongoing climate action projects in hundreds of communities across the UK.
All applications need to be submitted by 18 November.
Successful project will have 12 months to spend the grant award.
 As the furlough scheme finishes, some East Devon residents may lose their jobs. This is a difficult experience and can seem overwhelming, but there is lots of free advice available to help you to navigate through the redundancy process. We have gathered together some useful links to websites and organisations who can provide you with useful information and support.
Helpful information:
You can start an apprenticeship at any age, whether you are just starting your career, want a change or upskilling in your current job.
An apprenticeship is a real job where you learn, gain experience and get paid.
You are an employee with a contract of employment and holiday leave and by the end of an apprenticeship, you'll have the right skills and knowledge needed for your chosen career.
There is currently a diverse range of apprenticeships available at all levels across East Devon. To find out more visit Become an apprentice (apprenticeships.gov.uk).
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Department for Transport has £400,000 to help support businesses on switching to a low carbon method of transport.
It will provide up to 40 per cent of the cost up to a max of £2,500 for a two-wheeled e-cargo bike and up to £4,500 for a three-wheeled e-cargo bike.
Each organisation can apply for a maximum of 5 bikes.
The closing date for the application is 14 December.
Please see the following for a great article on a plumber using an e-cargo bike.
If you want to stay up to date with the latest news about grants for East Devon businesses, or other news about business opportunities, funding and training, you must subscribe to East Devon Business news
East Devon District Council also produce regular newsletters and news on different topics, in the last week we have issued the following which may be of interest:
Newsletters:
Over the next fortnight the following East Devon District Council meetings are taking place. Any public meetings will be streamed live to the Council’s YouTube channel, and in the event of difficulties these will be streamed on our Facebook page instead.
Tuesday, 7 September
Wednesday, 8 September
Thursday, 9 September
Tuesday, 14 September
Thursday, 16 September
Due to acute staff shortages, collections are being disrupted. East Devon District Council would like to thank residents for their patience at this time and have set out a series of steps for people to check to see if their collection has been affected.
Any amendments to a collection will be notified to any affected resident via the East Devon ‘app’. These amendments will also be posted on to the Council’s website www.eastdevon.gov.uk which will contain the most up to date information.
 New Art exhibit at Thelma Hulbert Gallery: Hiding in Plain Sight
 © Judith Jones, Rural Retreat, 2020
In Plain Sight – The London Group & Thelma Hulbert and her London Group Friends
(28 August – 30 October)
This intriguing new exhibition marks the first collaboration between Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) and The London Group. The exhibition features major new works from The London Group in a range of mediums including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture and film. Each artist in the exhibition has hidden something of their choice in a new piece of work. The aim is to entice gallery visitors to look much harder and closer than usual at each work to detect what is hiding 'in plain sight'
Open Thursday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm.
 Ai Wei Wei image
Fascinating new art history talk series with renowned art historian, John –deepen your understanding and appreciate of modern and contemporary art.
Dates:
8, 15, 22 September
2 and 13 October
Time:
10.30am-12.00pm
Cost:
£10 per talk (£8 THG Friends/students)
 Wild East Devon Summer events
 Our summer events programme has seen a fantastic variety of activities taking place in green spaces across East Devon. We’ve still got a few left before October:
Axe Vale Wildlife Day
Sunday 5 September 10am to 3pm at Seaton Wetlands
A free festival day of wetland wildlife fun with the Axe Vale and District Conservation Society and Wild East Devon. Explore the nature reserve and learn about the wildlife of the wider Axe Vale. Moth identification, trails, activities including Guided Tours, Bird ID, Pond Dipping, refreshments and much more!
Tai Chi in Exmouth
Always wanted to try Tai Chi but didn't know where to start? Our Wild Exmouth project is running four Tai Chi sessions in Exmouth this summer, book your place for just £2 per person! Join qualified instructor Sam Forder in a peaceful green space in the heart of Exmouth for a unique Tai Chi experience.
For more information on our events and to book your place visit
To keep in touch with the Wild East Devon Team follow them on Facebook and Twitter
Next edition
We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday, 17 September 2021.
Please forward this email to anyone you think would find it useful and encourage them to sign up.
You can also can share this update on social media and in any online groups you're part of by using the view it as a web page link at the top of the page.
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