📊 Wages and employment rates amongst county’s highest| Residents' Update

East Devon District Council sent this bulletin at 08-05-2026 03:00 PM BST

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Residents' Update. Bluebells in woodland

Credit: Matt Wilson

Wages and employment rates in East Devon area amongst the county’s highest

Aerial view of Cranbrook

Cranbrook ranked top for net household income of all areas of Devon in 2023 (© Still Imaging)

The latest figures show positive signs for East Devon’s economy, with competitive wages and low unemployment rates. 

Read more

Arts and Culture East Devon announces recipients of Creative East Devon Fund

Crowd of people holding lit up paper lanterns in the shape of bees and flowers

Sidmouth Folk Festival (© Kyle Baker Photography)

Nine art and culture projects in East Devon have been successful with individual grants ranging from £500 up to £3,000 from the Creative East Devon fund.

The fund, from the Council run Arts and Culture East Devon network, supports a range of projects, from art workshops for local schools to contemporary dance and storytelling to music workshops, as well as major festivals and work that supports our climate goals.

View grant recipients

Footpath resurfacing at Exmouth's Phear Park scheduled

Map of Phear Park with phases illustrated. South West of park 14th and 15th May. South East of park 18th and 19th May. North of park 20th - 22nd May

Phear Park will remain open, with sections closed in three phases on weekdays, whilst resurfacing work is carried out.

  • Phase one: 7.30am on Thursday 14 May until 5.30pm on Friday 15 May
  • Phase two: 7.30am on Monday 18 May until 5.30pm on Tuesday 19 May
  • Phase three: 7.30am on Wednesday 20 May until 5.30pm on Friday 22 May

Thanks for your patience whilst our teams carry out this maintenance work.

Find out how noise complaints are investigated

Person covering their ears. Noise Action Week logo

The Environmental Health Team will offer advice and support, as well as demonstrating noise recording equipment. Come along to a session on Tuesday 12 May (10am – 12pm) or Thursday 14 May 2026 (1pm - 4pm) at Blackdown House, Honiton. 

Sea Fest 2026 champions community connection and coastal wellbeing

The sea is calling on a wooden signpost with sea shells on top and wires hanging from it

© Charlie Fawell

Come along to a free day of fun, food, and fantastic entertainment by the sea, from 10am to 11:30pm, on Saturday 16 May 2026, at Sidmouth's Connaught Gardens.

A fundraiser will take place the day before, with a Party Night from 4pm–11pm on Friday 15 May 2026, with live music and DJ sets.

See line-up

Tickets expected to sell fast for Sidmouth Summer Play Festival

Two people, one on a sofa seat, the other on the armrest, open mouthed, in a floral room with alcohol glasses on a coffee table

© Andrew Beckett

After a record-breaking box office last year, theatregoers are encouraged to set their alarms for Sidmouth Summer Play Festival tickets going on sale at 10am on Tuesday 12 May 2026.

There will be an exciting mix of thrillers, comedies, farces, and drama. The season runs from Monday 22 June to Saturday 19 September 2026, with a week out for Sidmouth Folk Festival (Saturday 1 - Friday 7 August 2026).

Tickets will be available on Manor Pavilion Theatre's website, from the box office, in person, and by calling 01395 514413.

Discover what's on

Inaugural Gate to Plate festival comes to Cranbrook in 2026

Crowds of people at a market, with a fresh produce stall in the foreground

© eat:Festivals

eat:Festivals will be bringing their Gate to Plate festival to Cranbrook on Sunday 13 September 2026. You will find more than 70 makers, growers and producers, free entertainment, and music.

Read more

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

Share your thoughts in active consultations and surveys

If you, or someone you know, is unable to complete an online consultation or 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 the response is received before the deadline.

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.

You may be interested in

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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.

Next edition

We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday 15 May 2026.

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