Residents' Update ✅ Leisure, health, and community facilities approved

This year's seasonal restrictions have come to an end, meaning that responsible dog walking is now allowed at East Devon beaches until 30 April 2027. To allow water birds to feed after their long migrations from the Arctic and northern Europe, please keep dogs outside the area marked with buoys as the Exmouth Wildlife Refuge.

The lifeguard season is over at East Devon's beaches, and we would like to thank them for their hard work during the summer season.

If you're at the seaside and see someone in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Don’t attempt to rescue them yourself.

If you get into difficulty yourself, fight the instinct to panic, and float. Let a family member or loved one know if you're going into the water, and take a floatation device and a means of communication.

If you want to find out about bathing water quality, South West Water provides guidance on their WaterFit pages.

The future operation of sport and leisure services in East Devon has been awarded to Sports and Leisure Management Ltd, trading as Everyone Active, following a competitive procurement process and approval by Cabinet.

The successful bid includes significant investment in East Devon's leisure facilities and services, alongside financial savings that will help support the long-term sustainability of leisure provision.

East Devon has adopted a Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which focuses on protecting, restoring, and better connecting key habitats including lowland heathland, wetlands, species-rich grasslands, woodlands, hedgerows, and the urban setting, while supporting species recovery, and improving access to nature.

Keep in touch with the Countryside Team on Facebook and Instagram.

A local family who lost their baby are working with East Devon District Council for a third year on a ribbon display to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week (9 - 15 October 2026).

A blue and pink ribbon display will be in place in Connaught Gardens in Sidmouth during the week, with pens provided so that visitors can write the names of the babies being remembered on to hearts.

Zoe Stafford, said:

“Having the sad experience of losing our baby, Monty, I wanted to create a special display for Baby Loss Week to remember Monty and all the babies lost, whether recently or long ago. I hope it starts conversations and helps raise awareness. The display will allow a safe quiet space for bereaved families to take time to reflect and remember their baby/babies - thank you for your support".

Glen Goyle walk in Sidmouth is scheduled to be closed until Friday 16 October 2026, so that old fencing can be replaced. The entrances to the path at Glen Road, Manor Road, and Seafield Road will be closed. Thank you for your patience whilst these improvements are completed.