 In this issue...
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Council secures government funding to upgrade and decarbonise council houses.
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It's National Apprenticeship Week! Check out our vacancies and hear from three of our apprentices.
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New Queen’s Green Canopy has been created on land owned by East Devon District Council in Sidmouth.
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Had your COVID vaccine overseas? Get your vaccination record updated today.
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Additional Restrictions Grants open for East Devon businesses.
 News and updates:
Council secures government funding to upgrade and decarbonise council houses.
 East Devon District Council (EDDC) has secured £612,000 from the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
The council’s successful bid will see a ‘Fabric First’ upgrade of 50 properties. These are properties where the EPC bandings is E and below and are predominantly 1 and 2 bedroom bungalows, offering sheltered accommodation and housing to some of our most vulnerable residents in the district, where residents typically pay above average heating bills.
The funding from Government will help reduce fuel bills for tenants and deliver warm, affordable homes and will see a significant drop in a properties carbon emissions.
EDDC will achieve carbon reductions in the property by investing in cavity wall and roof insulation, draught proofing, and the replacement of windows. The council will be using the ‘worst first’ and ‘lowest regret’ approach in proactively replacing heating systems with a predicted failure date in the near future.
Work to deliver this upgrade programme to properties will begin during Spring 2022.
It's National Apprenticeship Week! Check out our vacancies and hear from three of our apprentices.
 Apprentices vacancies with EDDC
We have 2 exciting opportunities for anyone wishing to take their first step on the ladder to a career in administration whilst obtaining a level 3 qualification in Business Administration in a friendly and supportive environment.
As a platinum Investor In People employer, we believe people are our greatest asset and we are keen to help the right candidates develop their skills whilst learning on the job from experienced professionals.
You will be working with our Revenues and Benefits team and will learn the processes required to successfully assist customers with the billing and collection of Council Tax.
Magdalena
Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?
I decided to change the career path and considered the apprenticeship route a very good way to gain a recognised qualifications and off-the job training whilst earning wages.
Any word of advice to our future apprentices?
Apprenticeship can be demanding and time consuming given the amount of coursework and training required whilst we need to also carry out daily duties both at work and home. I would advise that all work is done regularly and future apprentices use fully the opportunity to learn from experienced officers. Whilst studying helps in becoming a qualified professional, the experience and knowledge shared by senior members of staff is very valuable in learning how to carry out everyday duties/tasks.
Why work for EDDC?
I have been with East Devon District Council since August 2019 and I have enjoyed every moment of apprenticeship and working with my colleagues. I have received all the support I needed and whether it was related to learning new tasks or just a simple chat with a colleague during the lockdown I have always known there are people I can count on. There are many benefits working for the Council, including flexible working, mutual respect, promoting a healthy work-family balance and opportunities for future development.
James
Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?
About 18 months after first joining EDDC as a member of the Planning Policy team, I applied for a promotion. I was unsuccessful but, as a direct result of the interview, I was pleased to be offered the chance to sign-up for an apprenticeship in order to obtain the appropriate qualifications that will help me with any future application.
Any word of advice to our future apprentices?
Make sure you’re really keen on the subject area in general if you’re lucky enough to be offered the chance to be an apprentice; it’s a long-term commitment and there’s no point signing-up unless you’re genuinely interested and self-motivated to succeed!
Why work for EDDC?
It’s great to work for an organisation that invests in people – and the future – by making the most of apprenticeships and all they offer both employee and employer.
Caitlin
Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?
I chose to do an apprenticeship as it was the best way to lean, I learn best by being hands on, getting stuck in and doing the theory alongside this.
Any word of advice to our future apprentices?
Make use of all of the training and development opportunities the Council offer.
Why work for EDDC?
The development and job opportunities at the Council have been brilliant, the benefits package is also great. My team have been really good at supporting learning and development, it’s a great place to work and gain experience.
New Queen’s Green Canopy has been created on land owned by East Devon District Council in Sidmouth
 Photo credit: Phil Shepperd; From left: Keith Hudson, Roger Bullock, Margaret Bullock, Kath West, Rachel Shepperd, Liz Lees, Paul Fealey (EDDC officer) and Wendy Whitaker
On Saturday 5 February, the vision of a local community was realised when 37 people turned up to plant trees and create one of the first Queen’s Green Canopy in the district.
Margaret Bullock joined forces with Ed Dolphin from Sidmouth Arboretum to dream up a gorgeous canopy of native and climate appropriate trees for the green in the middle of the homes at Higher Brook Meadow in Sidford.
The project was supported by members of the Housing and StreetScene teams who helped facilitate this great project.
Sidmouth swimming pool changing room get a welcomed refresh
 LED Community Leisure are delighted to announce that their changing rooms at Sidmouth swimming pool are getting a makeover!
We know from feedback that many customers love our swimming pool, our inspiring aqua instructors and our friendly front of house teams but often feel the experience is let down by our changing rooms.
Thanks to the financial support of East Devon District Council our changing rooms will be getting a well-deserved makeover.
The refurbishment works are due to start on Monday February 14th and are expected to take 10 weeks to complete. The contractor will operate outside of opening hours to ensure minimal disruption to operations. Please note, this will not be a full-scale project like the renovation of the changing rooms at Honiton Swimming Pool, instead it will be a cosmetic refresh of our existing changing, shower and locker facilities.
In the unlikely event that any work should require closure of the swimming pool our team will aim to give at least 7 days’ notice via the LED Leisure app.
LED Community Leisure would like to our team, customers and our community for your loyal support and for your patience during this period. For all further queries please contact prmarketing@ledleisure.co.uk.
Councillor Nick Hookway, East Devon District Portfolio Holder for Culture, Sport, Leisure and Tourism said: "EDDC is pleased to support LED and the users of Sidmouth Swimming pool by releasing funds to allow for the makeover of the changing rooms. Let's hope that this makeover brightens the whole experience of visiting Sidmouth Swimming Pool."
Get involved in The English Channel Challenge!
We are encouraging everyone who is thinking of raising money for charity to take on our English Channel Challenge.
We challenge you to swim as far as you can in just 4 weeks to help us raise money for Hospiscare - a brilliant cause that provides a wide range of support, from medical care to wellbeing groups, to patients with life-limiting illnesses.
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Swim as many lengths as you can at any LED Community Leisure swimming pool between Monday 14 February to Sunday 13 March and log your lengths via the LED Leisure app to enter into our prize draw to win vouchers from our friends at Hays Travel.
We understand that for many swimmers the English Channel (1,416 lengths) might be just a length or two too many and so we are offering alternative challenges and prizes too!
- Novice: 64 lengths (£50 voucher)
- Beginner: 424 lengths (£100 voucher)
- Intermediate: 850 lengths (£150 voucher)
- Advanced: 1,416 lengths (£250 voucher)
We encourage every person taking part to collect a sponsorship form from our reception team and join us in raising money for Hospiscare. Alternatively, please consider donating to our JustGiving page via the link below:
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Had your COVID vaccine overseas? Get your vaccination record updated today.
 Greendale is now running some special clinics for people who had their COVID vaccine overseas so they can get the details validated and put on to their vaccination record.
If you received any of your COVID-19 vaccinations overseas, you can now book an appointment with a local vaccination centre to get your vaccination records updated. Check the criteria and book an appointment here:
Around 1 in 10 children starting school at risk of measles
 A new campaign warns parents and guardians of the serious risk to children’s health from measles, reminding people to ensure their children are protected by 2 doses of MMR vaccine.
UKHSA and the NHS are calling on parents and guardians to ensure their children are up to date with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and all other routine childhood immunisations, as the latest data shows MMR vaccination uptake has dropped to the lowest level in a decade.
In a new campaign drive, parents and guardians are being reminded that during the pandemic, the NHS has continued to provide routine childhood immunisations and they are crucial in protecting children against preventable diseases.
Business update
Additional Restrictions Grants opens for East Devon businesses
 A new discretionary grant scheme has opened to support East Devon businesses whose trade has been affected by supply or demand issues linked to the Omicron variant.
This most recent Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG4), launched on Monday 7th February 2022 to support businesses severely impacted by the recent rise in COVID-19 cases. Business owners and directors are encouraged to act quickly as the scheme closes to applications at 5pm on 7th March 2022.
To check eligibility information, FAQs and to submit an application, please click here.
The next phase of the #EastDevonly campaign
 Thank you to everyone, including residents & businesses, in the area who has helped shape our #EastDevonly destination campaign, with the subsequent phase to launch next week.
Next week (w/c 14 Feb) is one of the key dates in the staycation calendar, said to be when UK holiday searches begin to increase until the 26 February proving this is a key time to launch, and with Valentine’s Day at the helm, we’d like to encourage people in the region to celebrate their love for the area by posting a favourite image of East Devon on social accounts using #EastDevonly and these will be captured on our site.
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:
ARG4 Scheme Live
Devon Local Nature Partnership - February 2022
Key applications received
Decision on key applications
 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.
Wednesday, 16 February
Thursday, 17 February
Friday, 18 February
 Recycling news
Can you guess how much plastic material we recycled last month?
 January is always the peak month of the year for recycling.
Our crews have worked hard to collect record tonnages of your recycling during the month, so we thought you would like to know how you did!
In January you recycled 195 tonnes of plastic material.
Quality as well as quantity counts in recycling so please separate your materials carefully between your recycling containers.
Thank you for recycling.
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
Arts and Culture East Devon
 There was a great turnout for the first 'in person' Arts and Culture East Devon (ACED) meeting at The Beehive Honiton. Please sign up to the ACED newsletter to find out how to have your say in the new East Devon Culture Strategy.
Collage & Montage - From Picasso to Psycho.
Tuesday 15 February, 10.30am-12.00pm.
£10 (£8 THG Friends/Students).
Join us for another fascinating talk with art historian John Francis. We will explore artists who have used collage for social and political protest i.e. 1920's Wiemar Republic 1980’s Punk US/UK, also modernist collage first used by Picasso and Braque. Montage was a ground breaking cinematic technique, famously, Hitchcock's ‘Psycho’ shower scene is very much influenced by this editing technique.
Masterpieces Art Youth Group
 Are you 12 to 16 years old? Do you love art? Join THG's Masterpieces youth group to explore and experiment with lots of different art forms and processes, inspired by our artists and exhibitions.
- 16 Feb
- 2 March
- 16 March
- 30 March
Every other Wednesday 4.30 - 6pm (term time only) Open to all 12 - 16 year olds. THG is an Arts Award centre so your work can go towards a Bronze, Silver or Gold Arts Award. Email us: info@thelmahulbert.com to find out more.
 Wild East Devon
Share the love this Valentine's Day by creating and sharing your wild heart!
Share the love this Valentine's Day by creating and sharing your wild heart!
Why not leave your heart in your favourite wild place or somewhere that a loved one, passer-by or total stranger will come across it and brighten their day?
Share your pictures with us throughout February on Facebook and Twitter.
Remember the one in 20 rule: never pick a flower unless there are 20 others remaining and leave rare flowers or those planted in parks for others to enjoy.
Devon Loves Dogs invites you on a guided Waggy Walk
 Wednesday 16 February 2022, 10:00am-12:00pm at Core Copse.
Free event.
Currently there are 7 places available.
For further info, please email: woof@devonlovesdogs.co.uk
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 February 2022.
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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