 In this issue...
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'Stay indoors' warning as Storm Eunice sweeps across east Devon
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Consultation opens on Kilmington Parish Neighbourhood Plan
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Wanted: Housing Review Board - one volunteer
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Closure of Coronavirus Community Food Fund scheme
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Exmouth Leisure Centre strength and conditioning area expansion
 News and updates:
'Stay indoors' warning as Storm Eunice sweeps across east Devon
 Storm Eunice is sweeping across east Devon, with huge waves crashing over seafronts, trees torn down, power cuts and multiple warnings to stay indoors and keep off the roads.
Devon and Cornwall police have posted on Twitter: 'We have already received over four times the amount of calls we would usually take. Most of the calls are regarding road disruption; fallen trees & power cables, flying debris & collapsed roofs. Keep safe and bear with us.'
An amber warning for extremely strong winds came into force at 7am this morning (Friday, February 18) - but the strongest gusts are yet to come, forecast between 3pm and 9pm this evening.
We strongly suggest to avoid visiting coast lines, but you can still watch the storm unfold from the comfort of your warm and safe homes through the Exmouth Webcam and Sidmouth Webcam.
For live updates, please check our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Consultation opens on Kilmington Parish Neighbourhood Plan
Have your say on how the Kilmington parish grows and develops for the next decade.
Kilmington Parish Council have submitted their Neighbourhood Plan to East Devon District Council (EDDC).
A six-week consultation is being held until Wednesday, 30 March giving all residents a chance to share their views on the document that will be used as guidance when deciding on planning applications.
The village has a range of facilities and an active community, which has shown itself to be supportive of appropriate small scale development.
The plan includes a range of proposed policies to preserve and enhance the natural and built environment and the experience for residents, businesses and visitors to the area.
Wanted: Housing Review Board - one volunteer
 A vacancy has recently arisen for an Independent Community Representative on the East Devon District Council Housing Review Board.
The Housing Review Board is an overview committee that considers matters relating to the Council’s landlord and housing management functions. It advises the Council’s Cabinet on housing policy and operational practice, keeps policies and performance under review; considers and approves new initiatives, and promotes a continuous improvement in our housing services.
The ideal candidate would have sound business judgment, an interest in social housing, and preferably community development, financial, and/or legal expertise.
The Board meets at least 4 times a year, during the daytime, with other interim meetings also possible.
Whilst there is no payment to board members, the Council will reimburse expenses.
If you live in East Devon and would like to contribute to our communities, we would like to hear from you.
For an information pack, please contact Alethea Thompson on 01395 571653, or email: athompson@eastdevon.gov.uk.
Closure of Coronavirus Community Food Fund scheme
Our Coronavirus Community Food Fund has given out over £45,000 to 34 worthy East Devon projects. The funding was available to help not for profit groups provide food to residents of East Devon who were in food poverty through and because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Applications were accepted from constituted and not-for-private-profit voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector groups and organisations, town and parish councils, charities, or a combination of such groups working together. The grants were available from April 2020 until February 5 2022.
We have now closed the food fund as we had no applications since October last year, and only two applications in the last 6 months. Successful applications included:
- Broadclyst Parish Council received £2,488 to buy items such as wet wipes and nappies that they did not have enough of to support their vulnerable residents in need. They then received a further grant of £1,000 to enable them to support their local community through their foodbank.
- £2,436 for Project Food to help residents of Honiton, Axminster and a wide variety of surrounding areas. This helped train new volunteers and a new staff member to support people struggling with food poverty through the Coronavirus pandemic.
- £2,000 to Ottery Community Volunteers to contribute towards the setting up of a community fridge and larder.
Exmouth Leisure Centre strength and conditioning area expansion
Exmouth Leisure Centre are delighted to announce that we are expanding our Strength & Conditioning Area.
We are delighted to announce that we will be extending this space by 40m², nearly doubling the current area! Our team will also rearrange equipment to create space for the popular Omnia rig to return.
The works are due to start on Monday, 28 February and are expected to take 5 days to complete.
Unfortunately, the gym will be closed on Monday 28 February at 7pm and Body Balance at 7.15pm will move from the Sports Hall to Studio 5 with capacity reduced. We recommend checking out the gym at Exmouth Tennis & Fitness Centre during this time instead!
There may be some noise disruptions in the sports hall during this project, we hope this will be kept to a minimum.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will ensure to update members on any further closures with plenty of notice via the LED Leisure app.
Don't ignore your cervical screening invite: Help us, help you
 The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched a new national cervical screening campaign calling on those who are eligible not to ignore their invite, as data reveals nearly one in three do not take up the offer of a cervical screening.
Around 2,700 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England each year and approximately 690 women die from the disease – around two deaths every day. Previous estimates suggest screening prevents 70% of cervical cancer deaths, but 83% of deaths could be prevented if everyone attended regularly.
The new Help Us Help You – Cervical Screening Saves Lives campaign urges women and those who may be eligible not to ignore their cervical screening invite, and if they missed their last one, to book an appointment with their GP practice or sexual health clinic now.
All you need is…Marriage Allowance
 Married couples and people in civil partnerships could receive extra cash this Valentine’s Day as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) encourages those eligible to sign up for Marriage Allowance to reduce their tax bill.
Marriage Allowance allows married couples or those in civil partnerships to share their personal tax allowances if one partner earns an income under their Personal Allowance threshold of £12,570, and the other is a basic rate taxpayer.
Eligible couples can transfer 10% of their tax-free allowance to their partner, which is £1,260 in 2021/22. It means couples can reduce the tax they pay by up to £252 a year. Couples can apply any time, backdate their claims for any of the four previous tax years and receive a payment of up to £1,220 at a time when they need it most.
Marriage Allowance is one of the ways the government is helping couples to receive extra money back in their pocket each month. The financial support could help couples where they need it most, including household bills.
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:
Key applications received
Decision on key applications
New exhibitions + workshops from Thelma Hulbert Gallery
HM Coastguard - Saving lives for 200 years by Maritime and Coastguard Agency
 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, 21 February
Tuesday, 22 February
Wednesday, 23 February
 Recycling news
Can you guess how much food waste 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 750 tonnes of food waste.
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
*NEW* Life Drawing workshops- Humans in the Landscape
 Join artist Alice Simpson for a sequence of ‘drawing from life’ workshops at the gallery and at different locations. Relaxed sessions, suitable for both experienced artists and those new to drawing.
17, 24 + 31 March, 11am – 1pm
£45 (£40 THG Friends/Students) per session. £35 each if all 3 sessions booked. All materials provided.
Half Term activity for babies and toddlers
 Friday 25 February, 10.30am - 12.00pm.
Fun creative Session for under 5’s. Sessions are play-based and sensory - just bring your imaginations and curiosity. We’ll be inside in the Learning Room.
Free, no booking required.
Art History Talk
 1 March, 10.30am - 12.00pm: The Story of Food in Art.
Join us for the last in our series of talks with art historian John Francis. Explore the remarkable history of food in art and how it has inspired artists including Georgia O’Keefe and Claude Monet over the ages.
£10 (£8 THG Friends/Students)
 Wild East Devon
Don't miss Devon Loves Dogs on BBC1 next week
 We are delighted to announce that Devon Loves Dogs will appear on Escape to the Country on BBC1 next week, Tuesday 22 February at 3:00pm. Filming took place on East Devon Pebblebed Heaths.
Additionally, you will be able to watch the episode on BBC iPlayer for 30 days after it has first been aired on BBC1.
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, 25 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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