In this week's news and events round-up, read about the following stories and more:
East Devon District Council's Cabinet for 2025 - 2026 elected
Councillor Paul Arnott was re-elected Leader of East Devon District Council, and he announced his new cabinet for the forthcoming year, at the Annual Council meeting on Wednesday 14 May 2025:
Top photos from left to right:
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– Leader of the Council
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– Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate, Council, and External Engagement
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– Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Homes and Communities
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– Portfolio Holder for Assets and Economy
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– Portfolio Holder for Finance
Bottom photos from left to right:
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– Portfolio Holder for Communications and Democracy
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– Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure, Sport, and Tourism
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– Portfolio Holder for Place, Infrastructure and Strategic Planning
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– Portfolio Holder for Environment Operations
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– Portfolio Holder for Environment - Nature and Climate
Assistant Portfolio Holders:
Councillors elected Councillor Eleanor Rylance Chair of the Council and Councillor Charlotte Fitzgerald Vice Chair of the Council.
Six East Devon beaches win national awards
Visitors enjoy the sunshine in Sidmouth, one of the beaches where matting has been laid to improve accessibility
The Blue Flag has proudly flown during the bathing season at Exmouth for the past seven years, while Sidmouth marks its sixth, Seaton its fourth, and Beer its third year of recognition. Each of these beaches, plus Sidmouth's Jacobs Ladder, also earned a Seaside Award.
Read the full story to find out more about how this prestigious status was reached at East Devon beaches.
To improve beach access for residents and visitors with mobility issues, matting has again been installed at the eastern end of Seaton beach, Sidmouth Town beach, and Budleigh Salterton beach. The track matting, installed by East Devon District Council, will be in place until late September.
Spotlight on Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone and Exeter Airport
Next week, the South West's leaders in areas including business and politics will champion the region on the national stage, showcasing unrivalled local investment opportunities, including the Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone, to global investors.
There's ground-breaking news from Exeter Airport, where the UK’s first-ever trial of a passenger aircraft turnaround using ground support equipment powered entirely by green hydrogen took place.
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Events in East Devon
Photography exhibition opens to wide acclaim
Left to right: Kathryn Burrell (Curator, Beaford Arts), Carole Evans (The Burton at Bideford), Councillor Richard Jeffries (Assistant Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure, Sport & Tourism), Robin Ravilious, Councillor Nicky Hookway (Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure, Sport & Tourism), Gemma Girvan (Thelma Hulbert Gallery Curator). Credit: Simon Tutty
Thelma Hulbert Gallery welcomed more than 140 visitors to the opening of an exciting new free exhibition, 'An English Eye', showcasing the work of renowned photographer, James Ravilious. The exhibition is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am - 5pm, until Saturday 28 June 2025.
Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell St, Honiton EX14 1LX thelmahulbert.com
Countryside Team welcomes strong start to Spring
During the Easter school holidays, Seaton Wetlands welcomed 8,108 visitors - a 10% increase compared to 2024 - with nearly 2,000 arriving over the Easter weekend alone.
The first canoe safari of the season was hosted by the Countryside Team on Monday 12 May 2025. Attendees were treated to a sunny evening of paddling with sightings of oystercatchers, curlews, and sand martins.
Don’t miss out on more incredible wildlife experiences, check out the upcoming events.
Keep in touch with the Countryside Team on Facebook and Instagram .
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Sidmouth Sea Fest to shine a spotlight on grassroots music
Come along to Sea Fest for an amazing community offering of live music, local groups, crafts, arts, and local food. The festival will begin with a free DJ night (4pm - 10pm on Friday 16 May 2025), followed by a free Family Day at Connaught Gardens (10am - 5pm on Saturday 17 May 2025), and will close with a ticketed party (6pm - 11pm) with a stunning multi genre line-up.
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Drop-in to an emergency preparation session
Learn about plans for natural flood management in the East Devon area at a free drop-in event.
Come along to The Pavilion in Newton Poppleford between 6pm - 8pm on Tuesday 20 May 2025, to hear from the Environment Agency, Westcountry Rivers Trust, Devon County Council, and East Devon District Council.
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Summer Play Season shows announced
Credit: Andrew Beckett
Sidmouth's Manor Pavilion Theatre is looking forward to another fantastic Summer Play Season, after last year’s record ticket sales. 12 great plays will be shown over 12 weeks, from Monday 23 June until Saturday 20 September 2025.
Tickets go on sale from 10am on Wednesday 21 May 2025. A free launch party will be held at the theatre from 8pm on Wednesday 28 May 2025 where you can find out more about the plays.
All tickets and information will be available at the box office in person, or by phoning 01395 514413 (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am – 2.30pm), or by visiting the Manor Pavilion website.
Discover more events in the local area by heading to the East Devon Excellence website
Do you have slow or unreliable broadband?
Businesses, organisations representing residents, and Town and Parish Councils are invited to share their views about how rural broadband quality affects daily life, work, and wellbeing. Share your feedback before the deadline of 5pm on Friday 6 June 2025, to help shape future action on rural connectivity.
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If you, or someone you know, is unable to complete an online survey, request a paper version, by emailing engagement@eastdevon.gov.uk. Please submit this request at least four days before the consultation closes, so that we receive the responses before the deadline.
Is your gardening clipping brilliant?
Why not subscribe to the Green Waste service and let the Recycling Team take away your green waste. If your garden is small, how about sharing a green bin and the subscription with your neighbour.
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Have you downloaded our free East Devon app yet?
Join more than 60,000 residents 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.
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Council meetings dates
Next week, Strategic Planning Committee will take place from 10am on Monday 19 May 2025. More information about council meetings is available on the East Devon website, and you can watch public meetings live on the council’s YouTube channel.
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