In this issue...
- New council plan focuses on greener East Devon, housing and recovering economy
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Hospital patient numbers double in Devon: how to do YOUR bit to help the local NHS
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New StreetSafe app asks women and girls to pinpoint unsafe looking areas in Devon
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Exmouth LED to host Covid booster programme
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Learn to swim in a week with an intensive course at Sidmouth
News and updates:
New council plan focuses on greener East Devon, housing and recovering economy
 Housing, helping our economy to recover and being greener will be top priorities for East Devon District Council for years to come, a new plan has revealed.
The authority has published its new ‘Council Plan’. The document will act as a practical roadmap highlighting its key focusses - including making sure people can afford to live, conserving the district’s magnificent environment and supporting the creation of jobs while helping the local economy to recover after pandemic.
Hospital patient numbers double in Devon: how to do YOUR bit to help the local NHS
 ‘Wear a mask, get vaccinated and keep your distance’
The number of patients in Devon’s hospitals with Covid-19 has almost doubled in the first three weeks of October and is expected to continue rising as cases in the community increase.
This adds to the severe pressures that already exist in the local health and care system, leading health and care partners to remind people in Devon they can play a key role in keeping case numbers down.
The increasing rates of Covid in the community also impact on staffing. Currently 810 NHS staff in Devon are off work due to Covid. This accounts for almost 1 in 3 NHS staff absences, up from just over 1 in 5 at the beginning of October.
People across Devon are being urged to support the NHS by helping to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 and flu viruses.
Here’s what you can do:
- Ensure that you are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, including having a booster dose if you are eligible
- Have the seasonal flu vaccination
- Continue to follow social distancing measures, wear a mask where appropriate and wash your hands frequently
- Avoid visiting people in hospital if you have sickness or diarrhoea
- Self-isolate and take a PCR test if you have symptoms of Covid-19
- Carry out regular lateral flow tests
New StreetSafe app asks women and girls to pinpoint unsafe looking areas in Devon
 The app StreetSafe has been created to help people, particularly women and girls, to pin-point locations where they feel or have felt unsafe and to explain why that location made them feel that way.
Devon and Cornwall Police will then use the data, which will be collected anonymously, and will focus on improving locations and factors that lead people to feel unsafe and/or might help offenders either commit or conceal a crime.
Factors that may make people feel unsafe may include the street lighting, abandoned buildings or poorly designed spaces, vandalism, as well as behaviours of individuals or groups of people.
Free digital courses for residents wanting to retrain or enhance skills in Devon
With different #Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps to choose from, there are opportunities to move into cyber, data science, software, digital marketing, IT, welding, photonics, engineering, construction, Agri tech, or electrical installation. The options cover a wide variety of in-demand skills.
The training is completely free and everyone completing the Skills Bootcamp is matched with an interview opportunity.
Unemployed or independent learners can use the bootcamps to re-train and gain skills to move into job roles which are very much in demand.
Employers can use the training courses to upskill their employees, and the self-employed can build skills to grow opportunities for their business. Employers are asked to contribute of 30 per cent of course costs.
These opportunities are available for adults aged 19+ who are resident in Devon.
Learn to swim in a week with an intensive course at Sidmouth
Sidmouth Swimming Pool would like to invite you to attend our week long intensive course!
The course runs on Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October between 3pm and 4pm for £31.50.
The course is suitable for any learners in stage one and above who need extra support to improve their skills or to anyone waiting to join our swimming lessons.
LED also runs water polo taster sessions for stages five and above.
Please call 01395577057 to book your slot or speak to a member of the LED front of house team when you visit.
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Exmouth LED to host Covid booster programme
 Exmouth Leisure Centre has joined forces with the NHS COVID-19 Booster and flu vaccination 2021 programme. Space has been made for two studios so residents can easily and safely receive their booster jabs!
The ‘inspiring girls’ programme is looking for female mentors across East Devon
 The Inspiring Girls programme is taking place in 2021/22 in six schools including Cranbrook. The core part of the programme is a series of 1-2-1 mentoring sessions with year 9 girls (age 13-14), and it’s key aims are;
- Shatter stereotypes and instil self-belief, a positive mind set and positive language.
- Introduce girls to female role models within a wide range of industries and sectors.
- Inspire and challenge girls to pursue their ambitions with confidence.
- Give girls access to knowledge, tools, skills and support to overcome their barriers to success.
You can view the Welcome video here and videos from some of our the pilot programme mentors here.
They have significant demand from Cranbrook school. If you and would very much like you to come on board as a mentor, if you would like to register please complete the following:
Please complete both of the above forms.
If you have any questions, email Rosie Bates.
Council chair sends letter of condolence for late Sir David Amess to Prime Minster
Dear Prime Minister,
I was horrified to hear of the shocking, tragic and senseless murder of your colleague, Sir David Amess at his constituency surgery on Friday afternoon in Leigh-on-Sea.
On behalf of all associated with East Devon District Council, I would like to express our sincere condolences to Sir David’s family, yourself and your Westminster colleagues.
Residents in our District Council area greatly value direct access to our MP’s, Simon Jupp, Neil Parish and Mel Stride. Similarly, community representatives within Local Government meet with those we are proud to represent in numerous different roles, each playing our part at the core of British democracy.
It is just five years since the murder of Jo Cox. The dreadful events of Friday will inevitably cause MPs and other political representatives to question personal security.
We believe it is important to work together, in an atmosphere of renewed tolerance, understanding and respect, making it crystal clear neither violence nor intimidation have a place in any level of politics, to ensure that all elected representatives can continue to carry out their duties safely.
Our thoughts at this difficult time are with Sir David’s family.
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Ian Thomas
Chair of East Devon District Council
 Devon households to get £5m to help with food, energy and water bills this winter
The Government has announced that a new Household Support Fund (HSF) grant will be made available to county councils and unitary authorities in England to support those most in need this winter.
This new grant, totalling £500m nationally, will be available until 31 March 2022, and Devon's allocation of it will be a little over £5 million.
It's to be used to support households in most need with food, energy and water bills, and other associated essential costs.
And at least half of the total funding must be spent on households whose families have children.
Devon County Council is currently working with the eight district/city councils in Devon, including East Devon District Council, and other partners, to make the funding available.
Details for how households can apply will be available as soon as it is confirmed.
Business update
 Green Innovation Fund
Devon County Council’s Economy Enterprise and Skills service is seeking Expressions of Interest for a new fund looking to support clean growth projects that boost Devon’s economy, help Devon reach Net Zero and drive green innovation further.
Grants of between £25,000 – £200,000 can be requested.
What is Green Innovation?
Reaching Net Zero in Devon requires innovation, to develop new products, services, and concepts which expand and build upon existing ideas for reducing our environmental impact. From Agri-tech, renewable energy, and electric vehicle technology to eco-tourism and hospitality opportunities, there are a range of industries that can transition into the low carbon sector through innovation.
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
Latest news and newsletters
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:
 Council meetings dates
Over the next week 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.
Monday, 25 October
Tuesday, 26 October
Wednesday, 27 October
Thursday, 28 October
 Recycling news
 Batteries are recyclable! Nights are closing in, check your torches! Do you have used batteries in your home? Please secure them in a clear bag and place in your green recycling box ready for collection from the kerbside.
Have you downloaded our free East Devon App yet?
Join over 30,000 people using our smartphone app and get simple personalised collection reminders, the latest collection updates and tell us about a missed collection.
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 Thelma Hulbert Gallery
 Half Term workshops
Join our fun animation workshop. Book now – only 8 places per session!
Wednesday 27 October: 11am / 12pm / 1pm / 2pm
Using the Big Draw theme of Make the Change, join animation expert Izzy Wild to create your own animation to highlight the Climate Emergency. Ages 7+
£2 per person
Next edition
We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday, 29 October 2021.
Please forward this email to anyone you think would find it useful and encourage them to sign up.
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