East Devon Residents' Update - Friday 4 October 2024

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Hello,

In this week's newsletter, read about these stories and more:

  • New toilet block works set to begin across East Devon
  • East Devon District Council acquires land to extend Seaton Wetlands
  • Open Weekend at LED Community Leisure
  • Scam alert over parking ticket fines
  • Have you told us your views yet on the new second community?

White bell icon on a red banner

New toilet block works set to begin in Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Seaton and Honiton

New public toilets

New Foxholes toilets, Exmouth artist impression

East Devon District Council (EDDC) has revealed updated phase one start dates as part of a major public toilet investment programme majority funded by the council with top up funding from national government towards new adult changing places facilities at the Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Seaton sites.

Construction is expected to last around two to three months at each site. The scheduled start dates (weather permitting) are as follows:

  • Exmouth (Foxholes): Monday, 7th October
  • Budleigh Salterton (East End, Lime Kiln): Monday, 21st October
  • Seaton (West Walk): Monday, 4th November
  • Honiton (Lace Walk): Monday, 18th November

All investment works are scheduled for completion by early 2025, with the Exmouth site expected to be finished in December and the Honiton site by February.

Read more


East Devon District Council acquires land to extend Seaton Wetlands

Seaton Marshes

l to r. Cllr Paul Arnott, James Chubb (EDDC Countryside Team), Cllr Marcus Hartnell, Cllr Geoff Jung and Cllr Dan Ledger

More land at Seaton Marshes has been acquired by East Devon District Council (EDDC) in a move to expand its award-winning nature reserve complex of Seaton Wetlands.

An additional 18 acres, lying to the west of the estuary, will provide a pivotal focal point to the area. It will form a natural entry point to Seaton Wetlands, once habitat and infrastructure projects are complete.

Read more


Essential maintenance work will affect Council website on Saturday 5 October

East Devon website

East Devon District Council website

Planned maintenance work is scheduled to take place on Saturday 5 October 2024, between 9am - 6pm.

During this time a number of our web services and web forms will be unavailable to access.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused during this time.


Are you over State Pension age, or know someone who is?

With the removal of the winter fuel payment, it is worth checking you are getting all the welfare benefits you are entitled to.

If you are over state pension age, you may be eligible to claim Pension Credit, even if you own your own home or have savings.

People who claim Pension Credit may also be able to get:

  • The Winter Fuel Payment and other help with heating costs
  • Help with Council Tax and rent
  • A free TV License for those aged 75 or over
  • Help with the cost of NHS services, such as NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments

You could be eligible for Pension Credit if your weekly income is below £218.15 or, if you have a partner that lives with you, £332.95. Qualifying income levels may be higher in some circumstances.

Don’t miss out.

Check your eligibility at gov.uk/pension-credit or by calling 0800 99 1234


Open Weekend at LED Community Leisure

LED Open Weekend

Get ready for an action-packed weekend at LED Community Leisure who are thrilled to invite you to their Open Weekend, taking place tomorrow Saturday 5 October 2024 and Sunday 6 October 2024. This is your chance to explore the fantastic facilities and try out a variety of activities, many of which are absolutely FREE!

Not a sports enthusiast? No problem! We offer a wide range of fitness classes suitable for all abilities. Whether you're interested in yoga, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or Les Mills sessions, there's something for everyone.

Make sure to check the timetable for a full list of activities available at each of our sites.

Read more

To book your spot for the Open Weekend, please complete the booking form on our website. Once completed, you will receive a code – keep it safe! You will then need to call our Customer Engagement Team 0800 228 9076 to check availability and secure your free space.


Exmouth Tennis Centre Reopening!

Exmouth Tennis Centre

The roof work at Exmouth Tennis Centre is nearly complete, and LED Community Leisure are pleased to confirm that all courts will be fully available again from Monday 7 October 2024.

Exmouth Tennis Centre has a fantastic Proflex floor for a brilliant playing experience, but that’s not all! Thanks to customer valuable feedback, we have made additional improvements to enhance your playing experience. Alongside the roof replacement, we have upgraded the lighting and installed new fans to boost ventilation, ensuring a more comfortable and enjoyable time on the courts.

Find out more on our website at www.ledleisure.co.uk


Important information for bird keepers

Bird of Prey

If you are a bird keeper, new government rules mean that from this week you must register your animals with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

Bird safety is really important – particularly as alongside cats and dogs, birds are popular animals to keep at home.

Birds are vulnerable to influenza viruses, and this has led to outbreaks of “bird flu” in recent years. To protect birds and prevent the spread of viruses in the future, owners must register their details so that APHA-facilitated disease control and surveillance activities can be carried out effectively and you can be contacted if there’s an outbreak in your area.

The new rules cover owners of backyard flocks (e.g. birds of prey and pigeon fanciers) but some birds are exempt, such as budgies, parrots and canaries that don’t have access to the open air and are therefore at low risk of being exposed to viruses.

The online registration process should take less than 10 minutes to complete.


Scam alert

Our Customer Services Team at the council have been receiving a growing number of calls from residents across the district querying a text message saying it is from the council.

The link takes the person to a screen that say this service is provided by FinePay and asks for the vehicle registration number.

These are not from East Devon District Council or Devon County Council. If we issue a parking fine this would happen by the penalty notice being stuck to a windscreen in car parks and on the road side.

Scam websites can be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre.

Contact Action Fraud via their website or by calling 0300 123 2040.


Cranbrook launches first mobility scooter with free hire to enhance accessibility

Cranbrook mobility scooter

Cranbrook Town Council Councillors, Lesley Browne from LiveWest and Matt Rowett from Move More Cranbrook, celebrate the arrival of the mobility scooter in Cranbrook, Devon.

In a significant step toward improving accessibility and mobility for its residents and visitors,
Cranbrook Town Council proudly announces the launch of Cranbrook’s first mobility scooter.
This initiative aims to increase accessibility across the town, including the award-winning
Cranbrook Country Park.

The mobility scooter scheme is developed and managed by Cranbrook Town Council and co-funded through a partnership between Cranbrook Town Council, Devon County Council,
LiveWest1 and Move More Cranbrook2.

Bookings can be made via the Cranbrook Town Council office at the Younghayes Centre or
by email at bookings@cranbrooktowncouncil.gov.uk 


Hand holding phone with 'get the app' text on the screen

Have you downloaded our free East Devon app yet?

Join more than 70,000 people using our smartphone app and get simple personalised recycling and waste collection reminders, the latest collection updates and tell us about a missed collection. You can download the app through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.


Events in East Devon

Thelma Hulbert Gallery - Events

Witches and Workshops

Witches and Workshops

Saturday 26 October 2024, drop in 11am - 3pm

Halloween event to celebrate THG’s exhibition ‘The Witchcraft Series.’ Family-friendly workshops, apple pressing, face painting, cookies and mulled apple juice, spooky music mix and fancy dress competition.

Free admission, donations welcome.

Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell St, Honiton EX14 1LX thelmahulbert.com


Latest Arts and Culture East Devon newsletter - September 2024


Seaton Wetlands welcomes 12 new volunteers to Discovery Hut Team

Seaton Wetland volunteers

The East Devon District Council (EDDC) Countryside team is thrilled to announce the addition of 12 new volunteers to the Discovery Hut at Seaton Wetlands, following a successful recruitment drive. This significant boost in volunteer capacity enhances the site’s ability to engage with the public and provide a fantastic visitor experience.

Seaton Wetlands, the flagship site of EDDC’s Countryside team, attracts over 10,000 visitors each year. The Discovery Hut, which is operated by a team of dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers, is where visitors can learn about recent wildlife sightings, enjoy refreshments, and hire pond-dipping equipment (during the spring/ summer). The Discovery Hut is open Friday to Monday, from 10am to 4pm during the summer and 11am to 3pm in the winter.

Read more


Keep in touch with the Wild East Devon team on Facebook and Instagram .


Discover more events in the local area by heading to the East Devon Excellence website


Business news story headline

Stay up to date with the latest news about grants, opportunities, funding and training for businesses, by subscribing to the East Devon Business newsletter


Have you had your say on the proposed new East Devon community?

This is your last chance to share your views about East Devon’s new community

Comment on the proposals before 5pm on Monday 7 October 2024.

Map of proposed new community

Help shape East Devon’s Anti-Poverty Strategy

Take part in the consultation before the deadline of 5pm on Friday 18 October 2024.

 

Anti-poverty strategy collage

Discover more East Devon District Council consultations on the Commonplace website.


Planning applications and decisions

For a weekly email update, add 'key applications received' and 'decision on key applications' to your subscriptions.


Council meetings dates

Over the next week the following East Devon District Council meetings are taking place:

You can watch public meetings live on the council’s YouTube channel.



Next edition

We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday 11 October 2024

Please forward this email to anyone you think would find it useful and encourage them to sign up.

You can also 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.