News in Seaton

A recommendation to introduce evening and Sunday charges to car parks in East Devon, including in Axminster, will be given further consideration.

East Devon District Council's Car Parking Task and Finish Forum (TAFF) proposed introducing a night time flat rate of £1, and for the introduction of Sunday parking charges in Ottery St Mary, Honiton and Axminster.

Nub News editor Philip Evans continues his series looking back over his 55-year career in journalism, many years of which have been spent covering East Devon.

My introduction to the world of journalism was rather distressing for a 17 year-old.

More than 60 per cent of all household waste is recycled in East Devon, making the district one of the best in the country.

This puts East Devon District Council (EDDC) as the tenth best recycling council in England, up from 15th place last year.

Devon's Guides, Rangers, Brownies and Rainbows now have the chance to be recognised for helping to protect the environment with the launch of the new Recycle Devon badge.

The new badge aims to encourage groups across Devon to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. It follows the successful launch of the same badge for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts in 2019.

Colyton fire crew were called to assist coastguards with the rescue of a child stuck in mud up to his waist in Charmouth on Friday.

Lyme Regis Coastguards were called to the scene at 3.28pm on Friday and carried the mud rescue equipment along the beach to the boy's location.

Lockdown restrictions are slowly easing in England and some things will be changing from Monday, March 8.

The biggest change is that schools will be reopening and all children can return to the classroom. Wraparound childcare, such as breakfast and after-school clubs can also reopen.

Council taxpayers in East Devon will be paying an extra £5 – less that 10p per week - for a Band D property to secure crucial front line services for residents and businesses.

The increase means the authority's portion of the annual Council Tax bill for a Band D property will be £151.78 a year or £2.92 a week for all the services it provides. The increase, which was approved by the council on 24 February 2021 is less than 10p extra per week.

Beer's annual parish meeting is scheduled for April 6, starting at 7pm via Zoom and will be live-streamed to the parish council Facebook page.

This is a meeting for the electorate and includes an open forum for public participation.

Traffic problems in Axmouth were discussed by members of the parish council at their February meeting in the hope of slowing down traffic through the village.

County councillor Ian Hall advised that he was hoping to include Axmouth as part of a 20 mph trial scheme. He advised that there were funds ring-fenced for Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) schemes and councillors would have to agree with the placement of the sign.

The latest crime figures released by police show there were 33 crimes in the wider Seaton area during January 2021.

These figures compare to 47 crimes the previous month and 29 in the same month the previous year.