Marianne Rixson is standing for election as a Liberal Democrat to represent the Sidmouth Sidford ward at East Devon District Council.

She is currently a councillor at district and town level.

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I have been a district councillor for Sidmouth Sidford for the last eight years and a cabinet member for climate action and emergencies for the last three years.

One major concern is the high cost of living and energy, which is why EDDC is retrofitting its social housing stock to help residents.

The council has to save energy too, so all services have been tasked with contributing to our net zero climate action target, reducing emissions by 50 per cent by 2030. 

Other climate-related and energy-saving measures include:

• Agreement being reached to fund £19.5m sea defences in Sidmouth to protect our seafront and town from flooding;
• Electric vehicle charging points being installed in our major car parks;
• Our recycling rates being amongst the highest in the country. My thanks go to every resident who has helped us to achieve this, as we are the top authority in the country with the least amount of residual waste and fifth best for recycling materials.

On the environment, the BBC programme 'Wild Isles' highlights why we must do a lot more to restore biodiversity, as the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world: 97 per cent of wildflower meadows have been lost, and many insects, mammals and birds are in decline. 

If re-elected, I would:

• Hold South West Water to account over sewage pollution to ensure our river and coastal waters are cleaned up;
• Fight for high quality, low carbon homes in East Devon that are affordable;
• Continue public toilet provision;
• Encourage further improvements in our recycling and waste performance;
• Continue to deliver the council's climate action and biodiversity strategy;
• Already thousands of trees have been planted;
• Two major projects are progressing well, the Lower Otter Restoration Project and the Clyst Valley Regional Park, both of which are nature enhancement schemes.

SEE ALSO: Full list of Sidmouth local elections candidates announced