 Photo of Bystock Ponds by Kate Williams
Hello,
In this week's newsletter👇
🏥Endangered Seaton Hospital wing saved after campaign
🌊Exmouth residents invited to drop-in event about Beach Management Plan Update
🚽Plans for new toilets, near Exmouth seafront, approved
👦Campaign to waive council tax for care leavers heralded a success
🌳Improvements planned for Sidmouth's Knowle gardens
Scroll down to read more about news, updates and events across East Devon👇
 News and updates:
Endangered Seaton Hospital wing saved after campaign
 Seaton Hospital - Credit: Google Street View
A hospital wing at Seaton, which was at risk of closure, has been awarded special protections, following a community campaign to save its future.
The facility at Seaton Community Hospital has now been given ‘Asset of Community Value’ status by East Devon District Council (EDDC).
Campaigners, as well as EDDC's leader, are celebrating the new protections for the wing, which was built using community-raised money.
Now, if the site is ever listed for sale or removal, local residents can enact the ‘Community Right to Bid’ – pausing the selling process for six months to give the community chance to source alternative ways to repurpose the building.
Campaigners have been fighting plans to turn the wing over, from NHS Devon to NHS Property Services. If the transfer was to take place there could be a real risk that the space could be demolished or sold off.
Councillor Paul Arnott, EDDC’s Leader, said:
“The Seaton Hospital League of Friends is to be congratulated for submitting such a compelling case for the site to be listed.
“They worked diligently to present a strong case to officers and it is excellent news that our council has been able to agree that the hospital should be added to our ‘Community Assets Register’.
“I am proud of both the council and the campaign committee involved who worked with professionalism throughout.”
Exmouth residents invited to drop-in event about Beach Management Plan (BMP) Update
 The BMP sets out how the risks of flooding and erosion from Orcombe Point to Exmouth Marina will be reduced
Come along to the first drop-in event about the Exmouth BMP Update at Exmouth Town Hall’s Council Chamber between 9.30am and 12.30pm on Thursday, 15 February.
Attendees will be encouraged to share their thoughts in an online form, with this feedback helping to update the BMP. A 12-week public consultation on the Exmouth BMP will be held later this year.
To find out more and sign up for updates about this project...
Plans for new toilets, near Exmouth seafront, approved
 Architect plans for the new toilet block in Exmouth Foxholes Car Park © Kendall Kingscott
Plans to replace old public toilets at Foxholes Car Park, at Exmouth's Queens Drive, have been given the green light.
East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) Planning Committee, on 30 January 2024, approved the EDDC proposals, with conditions, to demolish the existing block and replace it with a new modern toilet building.
The current site, home to an aged toilet block near Exmouth seafront, will undergo a significant upgrade with an adult changing places facility (using Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities funding) as well as additional amenities including an external showers, bike rack, and public realm improvements.
Campaign to waive council tax for care leavers heralded a success
 All of Devon’s District Councils have agreed to make care leavers in Devon exempt from paying council tax
Councillor Paul Hayward, East Devon District Council's portfolio holder for Finance and Assets, said:
“ East Devon District Council is committed to helping those with the most pressing and challenging financial challenges in our communities and therefore, the decision to support the exemption for care leavers was one that colleagues and I were happy to approve. I sincerely hope that this policy goes some way towards providing a better future for those persons leaving the care service, providing them with financial security, independence and peace-of-mind”
Improvements planned for Sidmouth's Knowle gardens
 Councillor Chris Lockyear, Chair of Sidmouth Town Council with Christopher Holland, Town Clerk at the Knowle Amphitheatre
Sidmouth Town Council has taken over the management and conservation of the Knowle Parkland and plans to work to boost biodiversity, as well as adding paths and trails for visitors to enjoy.
Between February 2019 and December 2023, Devon County Council undertook an innovative project that, in the event of extreme rainfall, will temporarily store water in an underground storage tank. This scheme reduces the risk of flooding to over 100 Sidmouth homes, helping both to minimise residents' and businesses' vulnerability to extreme weather and improves resilience to climate change. The landscaped amphitheatre that was constructed over the tank can be used for public performances including theatre and music events.
East Devon District Council wish Sidmouth's Town Council and the community the very best in further enhancing this parkland.
LED Leisure announce results of fibromyalgia pilot scheme
 LED’s Community Team partnered with Jurassic Coast Social Prescribers on this project
The report details findings from the pilot where participants took part in a six-week course at The Hangar leisure centre in Axminster to understand the impact exercise can have for those with the condition.
 5,121 tonnes of glass collected from East Devon’s households in 2023
 The team would like to say a big thank you to residents for recycling as much as they can
Glass is readily recyclable into new glass containers, so please put all of your jars and bottles into your recycling box for collection at the kerbside.
Aluminium bottle tops and jar lids can go in your recycling sack and these valuable items will get recycled with all the other aluminium items we collect.
To read more about recycling and wastes updates on the council's website...
Have you downloaded our free East Devon App yet?
Join over 60,000 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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 Seaton's Forest School sessions encourage creative outdoor learning
 With a £500 grant from East Devon District Council, the school purchased new outdoor equipment and resources
Seaton Primary School students benefit from weekly classes that help them connect with nature, learn basic survival skills, gain awareness of ecological issues, and work together in teams.
 Events in East Devon
Free trees, cuppa, and cake at Nature's Table
 No need to book, just show up on the day for this celebration of nature, with activities for all ages
On Saturday 17 February, 10am - 1pm, Chardstock Community Hall will be filled with stalls and displays, a Devon Wildlife Trust tree giveaway, plus you can learn how to make bee hotels and bird feeders. Enter the free prize draw to be in with a chance of winning a nature hamper.
There will be a showcase of the Kit Brook River Restoration project that East Devon District is proud to have supported with a Small Community Grant in March 2022. To find out more about how Chardstock Eco Group have improved the quality of the water...
 Thelma Hulbert Gallery
Learn animation skills at a half-term workshop
 Your animated sequence will be part of a longer film about climate action which will feature on the gallery's website
Working with animator and film maker Isgard Wild, discover animation techniques using live-action footage.
Either book a dedicated slot on Wednesday 14 February between 11am -12.30pm for £3 or drop-in between 1pm - 3pm.
Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell St, Honiton EX14 1LX thelmahulbert.com
Discover more events in the local area by heading to the East Devon Excellence website
Businesses invited to free net-zero and sustainability workshop
 Wednesday, 7 February, 10am - 3pm, Exeter Science Park
This event will give businesses the insight they need to thrive, save money and reduce their carbon footprint. For more information and to book your place...
Stay up to date with the latest news about grants, opportunities, funding and training for businesses, by subscribing to the East Devon Business newsletter
 Free training sessions for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations
 Online workshops coming up this week include 'Writing effective funding applications – capital and revenue' (Monday, 5 February, 10am - 1pm), 'Enterprising halls – Devon essentials' (Tuesday, 6 February, 9.30am - 3.30pm), and 'Writing strategy and business plans' (Thursday, 8 February, 2pm - 5pm).
Latest newsletters
 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.
6 February - 6pm - Licensing and Enforcement Sub Committee
Are you interested in being the next Police and Crime Commissioner?
 You can join the event either in person at Ballard House, Plymouth, PL1 3BJ or attend online
A briefing will take place on Thursday, 8 February at 5:30pm where you can find out more about the role, who is eligible to put themselves forward for election and how.
If you would like to attend, register now by emailing PARO@plymouth.gov.uk or call 01752 398073.
Could you be Citizens Advice East Devon's next Operations Manager?
 If you'd like to use your skills and experience to help people across the district get the advice and support that they need...
It’s never too late to stop smoking
 When you stop smoking you'll be healthier and amazed at how much money you save
StopForLife Devon will help you manage cravings and tackle temptations. Their flexible programme provides as much or as little support as you want, with coaches available in person, over the phone or by video chat.
Next edition
We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday, 9 February 2024
Please forward this email to anyone you think would find it useful and encourage them to sign up.
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