News in Seaton

Coastguards were called to the fifth incident of the year at the mouth of the River Axe this morning, when two kayaks capsized.

Beer Coastguards and Sidmouth independent lifeboat were called to the scene at about 9am this morning, after reports that two men were in the water and struggling to get ashore.

East Devon residents are being asked to ensure information that appears on the electoral register is correct.

Households will soon be receiving a form asking residents to check whether the information that appears on the electoral register for those living at the address is correct, as part of East Devon's annual voter registration canvass.

More than a year and a half after a devastating fire which left most of its 18 tenants homeless, the Royal Clarence apartments in Seaton are now available to rent again.

The building has been fully restored after being severely damaged in an arson attack in December 2018.

There have been no new COVID-19 related deaths in East Devon for three weeks, according to new figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Latest ONS data shows that for the first time since mid-March, there have been no deaths recorded across Devon and Cornwall related to coronavirus.

As part of the Government's COVID-19 recovery plans, East Devon District Council is now able to issue temporary pavement licenses to enable pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues to increase the availability of seating and tables outside their venues.

Licensing laws have recently been relaxed by the government as part of the Business and Planning Act, which came into effect on July 22.

Discussions have taken place between Seaton Town Council and Seaton Jurassic concerning the limited provision of tourist information services during the coronavirus lockdown.

Members of the council's Finance and General Purposes Committee received an update from the Mayor, Cllr Kenneth Beer, on the discussions he had had with Seaton Jurassic regarding the lack of services during this time.

The usual celebrations for Beer Regatta Week may not be able to go ahead this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but a programme of virtual events has been put together by organisers.

Regatta is a long-held tradition in the fishing village of Beer, dating back to either 1913 or 1914. Every year, many former residents return to their hometown for the celebrations, and tourists come back year after year to join in the fun.

Residents and visitors to East Devon will be dining out in style next month, as a number of local restaurants, pubs and cafés take part in the government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

In a bid to boost the hospitality industry following the coronavirus lockdown, the unprecedented government scheme will allow people who dine out from Monday to Wednesday during August to benefit from 50 per cent off the price of their meals, up to the value of £10 a head, with the government reimbursing the restaurant the remaining 50 per cent.

A couple from Colyford are petitioning for the government to fund the reopening of community hospital beds in locations such as Seaton and Axminster.

Carole and Mike Wickins set up the petition after witnessing the "distress caused to local people" who had to travel to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital by bus in order to visit their sick relatives during the coronavirus pandemic.

East Devon District Council still faces a £1million budget gap as a result of the coronavirus pandemic – but its financial situation is far better than first feared.

Revenue streams for the council have improved sooner than was expected and a windfall sum of around £2.5million from additional business rate income in 2019/20 has become available.