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Coronavirus (Covid-19) update - 16 April 2021
Please find below our latest Coronavirus (Covid-19) update for East Devon residents and businesses with information we hope will be of interest to you.
In this issue...
- Covid restrictions update
- Exmouth Tidal Defence scheme update
- Register to vote for the forthcoming elections
- New campaign launched to encourage local and safe shopping
Covid restrictions from 12 April 2021
Some of the rules on what you can and cannot changed on 12 April. However, many restrictions remain in place. You must not socialise indoors with anyone you do not live with, unless you have formed a support bubble with them, or another exemption applies. You should continue to work from home if you can and minimise the number of journeys you make where possible. You should get a test and follow the stay at home guidance if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
Read more
Exmouth Tidal Defence Scheme: Road closed while work takes place
The latest works on the £12million Exmouth Tidal Defence Scheme have begun.
When complete the joint project, being overseen by the Environment Agency and East Devon District Council, will help reduce the risk of tidal flooding to more than 1,400 homes and 400 commercial properties.
The Esplanade between Alexandra Terrace Junction (east) and the Premier Inn will now be closed until 23 July 2021.
We will now be carrying out drainage works and installing the flood gates at Alexandra Terrace Junction and the Premier Inn. We will also be changing the existing zebra crossing to an informal crossing point opposite the Premier Inn and looking at the lamp columns along the Esplanade within the scheme boundary.
We hope to be able to maintain a route through for pedestrians where it is safe to do so. Cyclists should either follow the traffic diversion or dismount to walk through the road closure.
There will be some loss of parking along the Esplanade and there will 'access only' to businesses, their customers and residents between the clock tower and Carlton Hill.
For more information on the project click here.
Register to vote ahead of the May elections
Don't lose your vote. To take part in the Devon County Council, Police and Crime Commissioner Elections and a number of by-elections on Thursday 6 May 2021 you must make sure that you are registered to vote by Monday 19 April.
Anyone already registered to vote will have receive a poll card in early April. If you are not registered, you cannot vote and your credit rating may be affected.
If you have recently moved to the East Devon district or have just turned 18, there is still time to get on to the electoral register in time for the election.
Registering is quick and easy and can be done online on the Government website
How we are making polling stations safe
Ahead of the May elections, our team are working exceptionally hard to make sure that all polling stations are COVID compliant and safe for voters.
This may mean that your polling station for these elections has changed. Please check your poll card for details.
If your polling station has changed from your normal venue we apologise for this inconvenience, but we have carried out risk assessments and have chosen the venues that we feel work best for these elections. A list of the changes to polling stations is below.
Here is everything you need to know about the May elections.
Other ways to vote
Electors who are unable to vote at the polling station can apply for a postal vote or appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf.
The deadline for applying for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 20 April.
The deadline for appointing a proxy is 5pm on Tuesday 27 April.
Read more
Census 2021 myth buster
11 things you may think you know about the census which are incorrect
- Census 2021 is over – I’ve missed Census Day so I don’t have to do it
Wrong! Every household is required by law to complete the census. Even though Census Day – 21 March 2021 – has been and gone, it is not too late to complete a questionnaire. We have had a great response to Census 2021 so far, but everyone needs to respond as soon as possible to avoid a fine.
Read more
Help is available through the Census Support centres which are located in the libraries through Devon. Details of these can be found here : https://census.gov.uk/en/find-a-support-centre/
Community Renewal Fund webinars
Devon County Council is holding a series of webinars titled ‘UK Government Community Renewal Fund – an opportunity for communities in Devon’. The first live event is scheduled on 19 April 2021 with a repeat live event running on 20 April 2021. Select a date to register for free:
With up to £3million available for successful community projects, the Fund will look to empower places to explore how best to tackle local challenges – whether through building skills, supporting local businesses, supporting communities and places, or providing employment support.
Restart Grants are now available
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The Restart Grant scheme for non-essential retail, hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses in East Devon is now open.
The amount of grant funding businesses will receive is based on business sector and the current rateable value (RV) of premises. Businesses should check the eligibility criteria before applying.
Read more
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Grants update
Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG) are closing on Friday 23rd April. For just one more week, these grants are available for businesses which are unable to claim the LRSG grant. Please check whether you are entitled to claim by reviewing the criteria carefully.
Visit eastdevon.gov.uk/business-grants for more information
New #StayLocalShopSafe campaign launches to encourage local and safe shopping
In East Devon, the Reopening of the High Streets programme is supporting a district wide media campaign, #StayLocalShopSafe, to inform residents and visitors about how to use their high streets and town centres safely and showcasing how local businesses are responding to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting, evolving and reaching out to their community, offering safe and responsive ways to access the goods and services that they need.
Watch video
If you want to stay up to date with the latest news about grants for East Devon businesses, or other news about business opportunities, funding and training, you must subscribe to East Devon Business news
Our latest news headlines and newsletters
East Devon District Council also produce regular newsletters and news on different topics, in the last week we have issued the following which may be of interest:
Dates of next East Devon virtual council meetings
Over the next fortnight the following East Devon District Council virtual meetings are taking place:
Tuesday, 27 April
Friday, 29 April
All meetings can all be viewed on our YouTube channel by searching for 'East Devon District Council' or by subscribing.
Agendas
LED Leisure reopens: Will you be gyming or sipping drinks while enjoying stunning seaside views at Exmouth?
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It is now just a question of what you do first, as you can also now enjoy drinks while overlooking Exmouth's stunning seafront, following the reopening of the Queen's Drive Ocean Beach Shack.
LED Leisure is pleased to be easing out of lockdown and has been welcoming people back across East Devon.
Read more
As of Monday, 12 April, this is what is available for you to do at all LED Leisure centres:
- Gym
- Public and lane swimming in Exmouth and Honiton
- Swimming lessons
- Outdoor group exercise classes
- Outdoor tennis
- LED @ Home via LED app
Visit the LED website for more information.
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Creative Cabin Shorts
We hope you are enjoying THG’s Creative Cabin Shorts, connecting to nature and the landscapes around us. Dedicated to all the extraordinary employees across the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, NHS staff and key workers across the region. In partnership with East Devon AONB, Blackdown Hills AONB and Wild East Devon.
CREATIVE CABIN SHORT 12 – Boatbuilder and storyteller Gail McGarva creates a ‘raft of hope’.
Watch now
Celebrating Spring with Bluebell Week
Our annual Bluebell Day has to be done differently this year so we’re launching a district-wide week of activities, events, videos and conversations celebrating spring in our local area.
We'll be putting on guided tours of our best spring wildlife-filled nature reserves as well as some family spring crafts sessions to encourage the whole family to get outdoors and creative with our rangers and our friends at the Axe Vale & District Conservation Society.
Due to ongoing covid restrictions you might not be able to visit our reserves, so we’re making sure that you can follow Bluebell Week safely from your own home with a series of online videos and competitions from our rangers that means you can fully experience our activities wherever you are.
Read more
To keep in touch with the Wild East Devon Team follow them on Facebook and Twitter
Trusted sources of advice and information
Please make sure that you only follow advice from trusted, official sources:
Next edition
We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday, 30 April 2021.
Please forward this email to anyone you think would find it useful and encourage them to sign up.
You can also can 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.
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