News in Sidmouth

The new leader of East Devon District Council has said it is 'a relief' to see councillor Stuart Hughes resign from the position of Chairman of the council.

The statement from EDDC's new leader councillor Paul Arnott comes after Mr Hughes levelled a number of criticisms at the new administration in his letter of resignation yesterday (June 1).

A Sidmouth based Human Resources expert is helping to host a free webinar for businesses and sole traders to help them on the 'Road Map To Recovery'.

East Devon HR's Sue Cockayne is one of a team of experts working on the Road Map To Recovery project which is aiming to help businesses understand questions about staff and customer wellbeing and fears of an upcoming recession in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Sidmouth county and district councillor Stuart Hughes has resigned from his role as East Devon District Council Chairman this morning blaming his departure on 'game playing by some members of the council'.

Mr Hughes has resigned from the role of Chairman with immediate effect, calling attempts to blame him for the abandonment of an extraordinary meeting of the council on May 27 the 'final straw'.

'It is not safe to swim between the Rock Islands' off Sidmouth beach, that's the message from Sidmouth Lifeboat after safety concerns were raised at the weekend.

Sidmouth's independent lifeboat team has issued a warning after seeing a number of people swim out to the rock islands just off Sidmouth beach.

Two fire engines from Sidmouth were required to extinguish two large bonfires in Branscombe this afternoon (Sat).

A spokesperson from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said:

An appeal has been launched in Sidmouth to save what is regarded as a 'hidden gem' in the town.

The hotel group, Christian Guild, who own and manage the Sidholme Hotel recently announced plans to sell the venue.

Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat was alerted to two incidents in the local area yesterday (Friday).

According to a statement: "Sidmouth Lifeboat was called out at 14:30 and at sea by 14:39 to attend two kayakers in the water off Poundspool near Beer.

A month-long cycle challenge will be held throughout June to support Bike Month and help get Sidmouth moving again.

It's part of a nationwide strategy to encourage everyone to travel actively, help reopen the economy and keep coronavirus at bay.

Cllr Paul Arnott, leader of the Democratic Alliance, was voted into the role on Friday morning, following the resignation last week of the previous leader of the council, Cllr Ben Ingham.

The extraordinary full council meeting began on Thursday night but was adjourned midway through the initial vote to elect a new leader when the live stream of the meeting was removed from YouTube for violating its terms of service. This happened moments after one councillor was heard swearing in the background having not muted their microphone.

A group of seven donkeys comprising of one of the largest breeds, and one of the smallest, have been relinquished into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary.

Due to a change in their owner's circumstances, the three large Poitou donkeys, and four Mediterranean Miniature donkeys were taken into the care of the international animal welfare charity and will now have a home for life in Sidmouth.