 In this issue...
- Will the new East Devon Local Plan help meet your housing need?
- Have your say: What did you think of our East Devon's gardens when you visited?
- RNLI at Exmouth has busy 2022 season with more than 200 incidents
- More than 700 trees planted at Sidmouth to created wildlife corridor
- Decarbonisation: Recycling team switches to electric vehicles
 News and updates:
Will the new East Devon Local Plan help meet your housing need?
 New build homes being built in Cranbrook, East Devon.
What new-homes are needed in East Devon? Residents are being urged to share their views on proposals in the new East Devon Local Plan which seek to meet the needs of local people.
East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) new draft Local Plan sets out a range of policies to deliver the right homes in the right places. These include proposals to:
- Ensure that more affordable homes are built;
- Provide more specialist homes for older people;
- Ensure all new homes are built to be accessible and adaptable to meet the needs of those with mobility difficulties...
Have your say: What did you think of East Devon's gardens when you visited?
 Connaught Gardens in Sidmouth.
If you have visited Exmouth's Manor Gardens, Sidmouth's Connaught Gardens or Seaton's Seafield Gardens this year, we would love your feedback.
A lot of effort has been put into rejuvenating these three gardens which has included new planting schemes and redeveloping the beds and increasing the biodiversity to make them more welcoming.
Please let us know what you think by clicking on one or more of the following links.
Stay warm East Devon: Cold weather can affect your health
Stay one step ahead of the weather with the Met Office weather app. This will help you plan your day, wherever you are, with the latest daily weather forecasts and UK National Severe Weather Warnings.
Money saving expert Martin Lewis says, 'heat the human not the home' and offers suggestions on how to save energy and stay warm with thermals, electric blankets and more. This guide's all about how to keep warm if you're cutting back on heating and looks at various options including purchase costs and costs per hour to use different gadgets and appliances.
NHS Choices gives advice on how to keep warm, keep well by outlining:
- Who is most at risk from cold weather
- Keep warm and get help with heating
- And asking that we look in on vulnerable neighbours and relatives.
If you own a property you can get recommendations for home improvements that could make your property cheaper to heat and keep warm. Find out more about ways to save energy in your home from GOV.UK or call the government helpline on 0800 444 202.
East Devon District Council also has a page on energy efficiency grants for individuals from a range of sources.
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RNLI at Exmouth has busy 2022 season with more than 200 incidents
 Exmouth Beach.
RNLI lifeguards at Exmouth beach went above and beyond during their busy 2022 season.
They dealt with 95 water rescue incidents, 19 incidents of major first aid, 102 incidents of minor first aid, 14 search incidents and two animal rescue or first aid incidents, as well as 20,152 preventative interventions - i.e. advice given to prevent incidents/persuade people to safer behaviours.
This is the fifteenth year the RNLI has provided a lifeguard service on Exmouth, on behalf of East Devon District Council.
The council would like to thank every lifeguard for their service in keeping both locals and tourists safe.
LED: Beat the January rush and join in December for just £4.99!
- No contract membership options - you won't be tied in for six or 12 months!
- Discounts available for students and those eligible for Passport to Leisure through EDDC.
- Well maintained market leading equipment suitable for all ages and abilities.
- A variety of activities, from general fitness to swimming, group exercise classes, indoor sports and more.
- An inspiring and motivating team who are here to support you and provide opportunities such as PT, programmes, nutrition advice as well as online and virtual support via Wexer.
- A friendly community atmosphere in 11 leisure centres and swimming pools across East Devon and Yeovil that offer something for everyone.
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More than 700 trees planted at Sidmouth to created wildlife corridor
 Volunteers working to plant 700 young whips in a wildlife corridor at Combe Wood Farm, Salcombe Regis, Sidmouth.
More than 700 young whips have been planted as part of a National Trust wildlife corridor on Combe Wood Farm, in Salcombe Regis, Sidmouth.
This is the first step in Sidmouth Arboretum’s response to the challenge from Sidmouth Town Council to plant 14,000 young trees in the valley by 2026, one for every resident.
A total of 21 arboretum volunteers were joined by EDDC's tree team officer Carl Harrison, on Friday 9 December, along with a team of National Trust rangers to help with one of the many wildlife corridors being created.
These are bands of new young woodland that stretch across the valley to link the areas of existing woodland on the hilltops east and west of the valley.
These corridors will allow wildlife such as small birds, insects and small mammals, including bats, to move around the farm and mix with other populations, a vital requirement of breeding a healthy population.
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 in our council chamber at Blackdown House in Honiton.
Following the decision of councillors to resume in-person meetings, we hope to be able to stream public meetings to the council’s YouTube channel.
Tuesday, 20 December
 Recycling news
Decarbonisation: Recycling team switches to electric vehicles
As part of our long-term plan to decarbonise our recycling operations, our recycling team has now traded their diesel vans in for new electric vehicles.
A third of the EDDC fleet of small commercial vehicles is now electric, with more diesel vehicles to be swapped for electric equivalents in the future under our plan to decarbonise as much of the fleet as possible.
The Recycling Team
Thank you.
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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
Honiton Shopping Event with mulled wine and mince pies
 Present Makers stall at Thelma Hulbert Gallery in Honiton.
Saturday, 17 December
10am – 5pm
Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LX
- Enjoy delicious, mulled wine and mince pies at THG, while browsing our inspiring collection of Christmas gifts, decorations and cards.
- Ceramics, jewellery, prints for your walls, scarves, cushions, lampshades and many more gifts created by South West craftspeople.
- Buy less, buy better, buy handmade.
 Wild East Devon
If you go down to the wood's this Christmas, you're sure of a big surprise!
Take the family to explore Seaton Wetlands and embark of a free festive trail.
The Wild East Devon team have hidden 12 snowmen around the nature reserve to see how many avid explorers, young and old, can find the family of snowmen and women.
Don't forget to share your pictures with the team on Facebook @wildeastdevon.
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To keep in touch with the Wild East Devon Team follow them on Facebook and Twitter
Top 3 causes of fires in December – and how to avoid them
December is the busiest month of the year for house fires. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service share their recommendations to have a fire-safe Christmas.
1. Cooking fires
Over half of the fires we attend start in the kitchen.
- Never leave your (Christmas) dinner cooking unattended.
- Make sure you switch off the oven and hob if you’re leaving the house.
- Take care around alcohol and don’t cook if you’ve had a few too many. Alcohol can cause you to take risks, be distracted, and sometimes even fall asleep. This can be a very dangerous combination with cooking.
2. Don’t leave white goods on when you are not home or asleep
Dishwashers, tumble dryers and washing machines are all high-powered appliances and can catch fire. Reduce the risk of this causing serious damage to your home by never leaving them on when you go out, or when you’re asleep. If the appliance starts to smoke, or a small fire breaks out, you have more chance of noticing if you are home and will be able to quickly call 999.
3. Take care with electricals
Christmas lights, and electrical presents such as games consoles are a fire risk.
- Check your Christmas lights are in good working order, make sure they are British Safety Standard and bought from reputable retailer.
- Extension leads generate heat so should be used carefully. Never make a chain of extension leads, and always fully extend wind-up extension leads.
- Always turn your (Christmas) lights off before bed or going out.
- Laptops, games consoles, phones and tablets can heat up when in use or being charged. Place on a hard surface and always use the official charger.
Finally, most fires in the home start accidentally. Understanding why fires start and what you can do to prevent them will help keep you, other people and your property safe. For advice specific to you and your home, take 10 minutes to complete our free online home fire safety check.
You can also complete one for a neighbour, friend or relative who may need help.
If you’re vulnerable or need more help, we can come and visit your home to have a look around – this online check will start this process. If you don't have internet access, you can call the fire service on 0800 05 02 999.
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Next edition
We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday, 23 December 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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