 In this issue...
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A reminder to pay your council tax by direct debit and receive your energy rebate payment quickly
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Ottery play area reopens after £50k revamp, with 12 metre zip wire
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Consultation: Luppitt Neighbourhood Plan submitted to East Devon council
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Works to Jacob's Ladder beach due to commence on Monday, 28 March and last for one week
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Devon Climate Emergency wants to hear from you!
 News and updates:
A reminder to pay your council tax by direct debit and receive your energy rebate payment quickly
 East Devon District Council (EDDC) are urging all bill-payers to set up a direct debit to pay their council tax. By paying by direct debit will enable the council to pay the £150 energy rebate payment as quickly as possible.
All eligible households in England that live in properties banded between bands A to D (or if you live in a band E property but receive a disablement reduction) should get the £150 one-off payment from the council from April this year. To set up a direct debit to pay council tax, please visit: Paying Council Tax - East Devon
To subscribe for news updates on the energy rebate scheme and when you will receive your payment sign up for our special newsletter.
Ottery play area reopens after £50k revamp, with 12 metre zip wire
Cllr Ian Thomas and Cllr Vicky Johns with student Emiko L'Estrange.
An Ottery play area, designed by more than 200 local children, is finally finished.
A ground level trampoline and a 12 metre zip wire are among the new attractions at the Winter’s Lane play area, owned by East Devon District Council (EDDC).
The area has also been kitted out with a 2.4 metre tall rope climbing pyramid, a slide and climbing area, picnic bench, a toddler swing and a toddler and parent swing.
Consultation: Luppitt Neighbourhood Plan submitted to East Devon council
© Lewis Clarke
A six-week consultation on a neighbourhood plan which will help shape developments in Luppitt and the surrounding parish has been launched.
The area’s parish council has now submitted its neighbourhood plan to East Devon District Council (EDDC), giving residents who live, work and do business in the Luppitt parish until Friday, 6 May, to have their say on the document.
Once adopted, the plan will help decide the future of the Luppitt parish in terms of development and planning applications.
Works to Jacob's Ladder beach due to commence on Monday, 28 March and last for one week
From Monday, 28 March, East Devon District Council's contractors will be undertaking some investigative works of the sea wall at Jacob’s Ladder beach in Sidmouth as part of our capital bid programme.
Works are expected to take one week and will involve digging down and exposing the sea wall in order to fully inspect it to allow for the repair to be designed and planned for works following the summer period. Works will also include an excavator on the beach moving beach shingle next to the sea wall, and removing from the platform.
We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during this week.
Devon Climate Emergency wants to hear from you!
This month, Devon Climate Emergency is running a public consultation on the actions they have developed following the Devon Climate Assembly, which took place last summer.
The Devon Climate Assembly discussed three of Devon’s more controversial climate issues: onshore wind, buildings and transport. These topics were chosen because they have a big impact on people’s everyday lives.
The consultation will be your chance to say whether the Devon Climate Emergency Partnership has interpreted and responded to the Devon Climate Assembly reasonably and effectively.
This consultation will help to make sure that the actions are fair, democratic and help towards achieving net-zero.
You have until Thursday, 14 April to have your say.
East Devon residents invited to take part in the Great British Spring Clean
 Join the #BigBagChallenge
Devon residents and community groups are being called on by #Cleandevon to help clean up the county, as Keep Britain Tidy’s nationwide annual Great British Spring Clean returns.
Keep Britain Tidy believes that every act to protect the environment, no matter how small, makes a difference.
And so, when hundreds of thousands of #LitterHeroes all join forces and take the same action at the same time, the difference we make is huge.
Back for its seventh year, our 2022 Great British Spring Clean takes place from Friday, 25 March – Sunday, 10 April.
This year the message is simple. Join our #BigBagChallenge and pledge to pick up as much litter as you can during the campaign.
You might choose to pick up just one bag, or you could set yourself a #BigBagChallenge and collect a bag of litter every day.
We’ve got loads of tips and advice to help you get started and cleaning up safely, so whether you’re a litter-picking pro, or this is your first time, join the Great British Spring Clean and pledge to pick up a bag - or more – today.
Come along to the Seaton Big Clean tomorrow!
Do you want to help make Seaton beach and town centre a cleaner, happier environment?
Seaton Big Clean is taking place tomorrow, Saturday, 26 March from 10.30am - 12pm. Although all volunteers should meet at Fisherman's Gap at 10am.
There will be multiple prizes to win from youngest and oldest volunteers, to the most unusual item collected.
You will also receive a FREE coffee voucher to claim at Pebbles Coffee House as a little pick-me-up after your morning of hard work.
What you need to bring:
Please wear sturdy shoes and bring gardening or workman's gloves. All other equipment will be provided on the day.
Fancy a day of exhilaration? The Phear Park Skate Jam in Exmouth is for you!
 Everyone is welcome to this long awaited and free of charge event.
Pre-registration is NOT necessary. Simply turn up on the day to free roam or register if you would like to take part in the skate jam.
Professional riders will also be attending to show you what can be achieved at this fantastic facility.
From 12 Noon onwards on Saturday, 30 April.
Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival will take place from Thursday, 2 to Sunday, 5 June 2022
Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival will take place from Thursday, 2 to Sunday, 5 June and is an exciting new cultural event for East Devon.
Headline afternoon and evening ticketed concerts are taking place in the stunning and atmospheric setting of Sidmouth Parish church located within the centre of the town.
Audiences can expect to hear the absolute best Jazz, Blues, Roots, RnB, Soul, Funk, and Latin music across the festival weekend. Free live music will also take place at various fringe venues across the town which will create a wonderful atmosphere.
Acclaimed artistes confirmed to perform at the church include multi-award-winning blues guitarist and singer Ian Siegal; for Jazz lovers, the festival presents a wonderful and intimate evening concert with the Ronnie Scott’s All Stars; Italian multi-award winning acoustic guitarist and composer, Antonio Forcione; Joe Stilgoe the internationally acclaimed singer, pianist, and songwriter; as well as the incredible Mica Paris, the UK Queen of Soul performs a special headline evening concert at the church with her incredible band.
Exmouth Museum are seeking to recruit new trustees to its board... Could this be you?
© Devon Museums
Exmouth Museum is looking to recruit trustees to its board. Could you be influential in working to develop this charity?
This is a time of great change for Exmouth Museum as it has just completed the purchase of the freehold of its buildings. A diverse and enthusiastic set of trustees are required to move the museum on to the next stage in its ambitious plan.
They are also looking for a treasurer - someone with financial skills and acumen, who can work with the Trustees and Management Committee to ensure a sustainable future for the museum.
These are voluntary, unpaid appointments. The time commitment for the Management Committee is a monthly meeting in each of 10 months of the year. Trustee meetings are quarterly plus an annual AGM. Depending on knowledge, skills and interests trustees may work with members of the Management Committee or other volunteers.
For further information please contact Peter Cowper (Chair of Board of Trustees)
Business update
The theme for this year's English Tourism Week is ‘You're Welcome’ to send the message that everyone working in tourism is ready and willing to welcome visitors back and are working hard to do so. We are continuing to share the very best of East Devon’s offering to celebrate the place that we love. If you want us to share any special events, opportunities and activities, then please post to our #EastDevonly Facebook group.
Post your #EastDevonly photos using the Visit England Campaign hashtag #EnglishTourismWeek22. Feel free to share photos and memories of your favourite places in East Devon to celebrate the times and places we love.
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:
£70k given to community projects across East Devon
Wild East Devon March news
Decision on key applications - 22/03/22
Key applications received - 25/03/22
Decision on key applications - 25/03/22
 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, 30 March
 Recycling news
Gardening over the weekend?
Why not subscribe to our green waste service and let us take away your green waste, saving you a trip to the recycling centre.
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
News from THG
NOW OPEN: Nick Goss, Mud Angels
Stunning new exhibition of large-scale paintings by one of Britain’s leading contemporary artists.
Exhibition continues until 14 May.
Wednesday – Saturday, 10 – 5.
Tickets on sale now!
Larkhall – piano performance
2 April, 6-7pm.
Join us at THG for an incredible show presented by composer-pianist Larkhall combining his classical piano compositions with live visuals.
£12 (£10 THG Friends/students)
New dates for drawing workshops
Join artist Alice Simpson for drawing from life workshops, be inspired by the woods and the beach.
Each session will have a model present and include a break, refreshments will be provided.
31 March, 11am - 1pm: Offwell Woods
7 April, 11am - 1pm: Exmouth beach
£45 (£40 THG Friends/Students) per session.
 Wild East Devon
Family explorer day at Trinity Hill - April 2022
Family explorer day at Trinity Hill
Join the Axe Vale and District Conservation Society and Wild East Devon’s education ranger to explore, spot wildlife and get creative. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Tuesday, 12 April, 2-4pm
- £5 per family group
Booking
Currently there are 25 places available
Family Easter Fun at Seaton Wetlands 1.30pm - 3.30pm - 20 April 2022
Family Easter Fun at Seaton Wetlands
Join the education ranger at Seaton Wetlands for Easter and springtime themed activities. Make crafts to take home using small tools and natural materials and cook treats over the campfire.
- Wednesday, 20 April, 1.30 - 3.30pm
- £5 per child (babies and toddlers of 2 and under free)
Booking
Currently there are 13 places available
To keep in touch with the Wild East Devon Team follow them on Facebook and Twitter
Community testing service ending but outreach team will continue to support vaccinations
Devon County Council's community testing team, which has been delivering a mobile lateral flow testing service, as well as COVID-19 vaccinations, to local communities across Devon since January 2021, will change its operations from 1 April.
The government’s ‘Living with COVID-19’ plan will see the end to universal access to free lateral flow and PCR tests for most people at the end of March.
The council's outreach vans will continue to support the vaccinations programme, alongside NHS Devon colleagues, across the county. But the availability of free lateral flow tests from their vans will stop on Thursday 31 March.
PCR testing sites in Devon, run by the Department for Health, will close on Wednesday 30 March.
While there will no longer be access to free lateral flow tests from Friday 1 April, Public Health Devon hopes that people will continue to use up the tests they currently have, ‘to greatest effect’.
The BBC is offering local communities a special one-off TV Licence dispensation for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee
Throughout 2022, events and initiatives will take place to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee culminating in a four day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday, 2 June to Sunday, 5 June 2022.
We know that many communities will come together to mark this historic occasion and during the bank holiday weekend, the BBC is offering local communities a special one-off TV Licence dispensation.
The dispensation will allow those celebrating by arranging events in town halls, community centres and streets across Britain, where TV is not usually watched, to screen the live programmes throughout the weekend without needing to purchase a licence.
Post Office card accounts: switch now, says HMRC
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning Post Office card account holders, who receive HMRC-related payments, that time is running out – with just two weeks left to switch their accounts.
About 6,800 Post Office card account customers, who receive tax credits, Child Benefit or Guardian’s Allowance payments, need to transfer their account by 5 April 2022 to continue receiving their money without interruption.
HMRC is stopping making payments to Post Office card accounts from 6 April. Customers, who have not done so already, must notify HMRC of an alternative account to have their payments paid into. It will not be possible to pay tax credits or Child Benefit until a valid account is provided.
Next edition
We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday, 1 April 2022.
Please forward this email to anyone you think would find it useful and encourage them to sign up.
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