News in Sidmouth

Policies to help tackle the poverty that thousands of children in East Devon find themselves in will be aspired to in the council's Corporate Plan.

At present, 22 per cent of the population in East Devon is in relative poverty, with half of those in poverty are single parents and nearly a third are children.

With the recent announcement that Seaton skatepark will undergo a dramatic renovation, following investment from East Devon District Council - a mother from Ottery St Mary contacted Nub News to explain how her son was involved with building the original park.

She hopes the story might inspire other young people - in Ottery St, for example, where they may lose their park to developers - to follow in his footsteps and be instrumental in constructing something similar.

Notes of meetings when senior council officers meet with developers over planning issues should be made in future, councillors have been told.

It follows an instance where East Devon District Council's chief executive allegedly told developers to appeal his own council's refusal of planning permission for the Sidford Business Park.

East Devon District Council 'lacks good detailed intelligence about its towns and their economic wellbeing'.

Councillor Ben Ingham, leader of the council, admitted: "This is not a good state of affairs," when questioned at Wednesday night's full council meeting.

Following this morning's announcement on social media that Jurassic Paddle Sports was on 'rocky ground', East Devon District Council have issued the following response.

In a statement it said: "The council is pleased to say that it has agreed terms with Jurassic Paddle Sports to renew their concession at Sidmouth seafront for a further three seasons (2020, 2021 and 2022).

Any changes to car parking strategy in Sidmouth will now be decided by the full council following a constitution change over controversial plans to hike car parking charges by 20 per cent.

The council's cabinet earlier this month agreed to go out to consultation on plans that would see car park charges rise from £1 to £1.20 per hour in high demand car parks.

A blueprint for development in the Sid Valley is set to be given the final seal of approval next week.

After more than 90 per cent of residents voted in favour of the Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan at a referendum, East Devon District Council's cabinet next week will officially make the plan so it will become a legal planning document to help shape any development in the area for the next decade.

Ottery St Mary Police have responded after reports of a young girl being chased and asked if she wanted 'to play a little game' have been circulating on social media.

In a statement released today, PCSO Jonathan Sims said: "Following reports on Ottery Matters that a young girl was chased home by a male last night near to Butts road Ottery St Mary.

Surfers Against Sewage and Sidmouth Plastic Warriors have teamed up to organise a 'huge' autumn beach clean.

The Autumn Beach Clean event, taking place on Sunday, October 27, will feature prizes for the heaviest collection and the strangest object collected.

In a post on social media this morning, Jurassic Paddle Sports has announced that the future of the Sidmouth beach business is 'on rocky ground'.

It follows alleged 'complaints about the way it is run' from East Devon District Council and members of the public, and a call for the business to 'remove its signs and flags', as they are 'causing offence'.