News in Sidmouth

A review of Jane Austen's Emma from the Sidmouth Summer Play Festival .

Mocha Restaurant enjoys pride of place on Sidmouth seafront, and I couldn't resist going in during a recent downpour. .

I'll be honest, I stumbled across Browns' Kitchen Bakery by accident on my way into town from the Ham car park - and I'm so glad I did.

It's run by the famous duo Liv and Louise, who used to run Browns' Kitchen Restaurant (now Milsons Point), and features a selection of homemade baked goods and hot drinks.

I'm writing my first column for Nub News linked to my 'passion' – the environment, litter and specifically this time to shine a spotlight on recycling and waste collections in the area.

Being both a member of East Devon District Council and Sidmouth Town Council, plus being the Chair of the Sidmouth Plastic Warriors I have a unique insight into the work of the teams in Streetscene and Suez, who do such a fantastic job.

I have just submitted the following motion for the next Devon County Council full meeting, which takes place on Thursday, May 23.

At this stage it's not clear whether the motion will be heard on the day itself or be referred to cabinet and return to the next full council in July. I will post updates when I know more.

Loneliness is a problem for all age groups in the Sid Valley and is a priority for Sid Valley HELP.

There is no single activity or organisation that can solve loneliness on their own, but we can begin by working together as a community. Sid Valley HELP is starting a range of free new services to combat loneliness and isolation.

Welcome to another Hughes Report on Sidmouth Nub News and may I begin by thanking those who voted last Thursday, no matter who you voted for.

Traffic signals at Sidford Cross are due to be replaced later this year, with preparatory work due to be carried out next month.

Making Tax Digital for VAT (MTD for VAT) is now live. Firms with a taxable turnover above the VAT registration threshold (currently £85,000) must comply with the new rules. Below, we answer some of your key MTD for VAT questions.

Q: What information needs to be kept digitally?

Happy new tax year! We are a month into 2019/2020 already and, in an effort to help you be more tax efficient, this column concentrates on how to use one of the most tax efficient savings vehicles available in this country – pensions.

Pensions' legislation is fiendishly complicated but, if tackled in the right way, pensions are great tax efficient investments.

I am delighted to have been asked to write a regular column for Nub News, an initiative for our local area that I support wholeheartedly. Community is everything – it is the reason the Sidmouth Plastic