Homes across Exeter are to come under close scrutiny in a major review of supposedly empty properties across the city to check that they are actually unoccupied.
The action is being taken because many people do not inform the Council when empty properties become occupied. This can lead to the local authorities missing out on council tax payments as well as New Homes Bonus payments that are paid out by the government on every home brought back into use.
Cllr Rob Hannaford, Lead Councillor for Housing, Community Involvement and Maintaining Assets said: "Houses that have been...
Furniture Village ( www.furniturevillage.co.uk ) launched a nationwide competition in March this year to find pieces of furniture with unique and intriguing family histories. After receiving an extensive number of entries from across the UK, Christine Westlake from Braunton, Exeter, was selected as one of the winners for the story of her grandmother’s handmade ottoman, and has received £500 worth of vouchers to spend at her local Furniture Village in Sowton Retail Park, Exeter.
This small ottoman was crafted by Christine’s grandmother, Olive, during the Second World War.
From open air theatre to dragon boat racing, there is no shortage of entertainment to suit all the family this weekend!
THEATRE
Dancing at Lughnasa Friday, 7pm, Poltimore House Bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds of this country house and let us transport you to Ballybeg, County Donegal for the harvest time in 1936. The Mundy sisters, trapped by poverty, escape the drudgery with banter and dancing to the Marconi wireless, hoping to find love and a continuing future together. A warm and compelling play by Brian Friel, one of the greatest modern Irish writers. £10 adults, £...
Options for a new headquarters at Honiton or Cranbrook are to be put under the microscope following unanimous agreement from EDDC’s Cabinet on Wednesday 17 July that staying at Knowle is not a viable option.
Council Leader Paul Diviani says: “We looked long and hard at all the options on the table including staying at Knowle. The simple matter of fact is that our current offices are a huge drain on resources - as well as the financial considerations, the buildings are just not fit for purpose.
“We also considered in detail a number of options for demolishing the current...
The Chairman of Devon County Council, Cllr Bernard Hughes, and Cabinet Member for economy and growth, Cllr Andrew Leadbetter this afternoon cut the first turf during a ceremony to mark the start of work on the new Crediton Link Road.
The 760 metre single carriageway will provide a new direct route to the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate from the Wellparks roundabout on the A377.
Councillor Leadbetter said that the major scheme will help deliver economic growth, encourage more employment and investment into the region, and tackle congestion.
Primary schools from Exeter and North Devon will be taking part in Exeter’s Great West Run on Sunday 13 October, as part of the Schools’ Challenge.
The Schools’ Challenge encourages children to achieve a half marathon distance over 6 weeks, with the final mile run on the home straight of the Half Marathon course, shortly after the main race begins.
Rebecca Skinner, from St Luke’s School Sports Partnership, said: “The Challenge is a great way to inspire children to be healthy and get active. Having a stage such as the half marathon is a great way to inspire children and...
Pupils at a successful Exeter primary school make rapid progress because of top quality teaching and highly positive attitudes to learning, according to education inspectors.
Clyst Heath Nursery and Community Primary has just been rated as good with outstanding features by inspectors from the school standards agency Ofsted.
“The school has successfully established a trend of improving attainment since its previous inspection,” they say.
“There is a very strong learning ethos and pupils want to achieve well. Attainment is rising and is on track to rise further....
Pupils at an Exeter junior school are excited by their work and achieve standards that are significantly above average, according to education inspectors.
They say progress in all year groups at Stoke Hill Junior is accelerating and teaching is consistently good with outstanding practice.
The vast majority of parents believe their child is well taught and making good progress, say the inspectors.
Three inspectors from the school standards agency, Ofsted, spent two days at Stoke Hill last month and their report has just been published.
Newcomer Don Armand has spoken of his "excitement" at the challenge that lies ahead after he completed his move to Aviva Premiership side Exeter Chiefs. The 24-year-old forward has agreed a two-year contract and joins the Devon club from South African Super 15 outfit Stormers. Armand, who can play either at lock or in the back-row, made his Super Rugby debut as an injury replacement in 2012 and has not looked back since. He was part of the squad that won the SA Conference, having earlier in the year tasted success with the DHL Western Province Vodacom Cup team and, later in 2012, helping...
The Met Office has issued a revised heatwave warning for the South West, raising the level from two to three, meaning action is required.
Where a level two heat health grading should prompt an alert and readiness for action, a level three warning requires social and healthcare services to target specific actions at high-risk groups.
The Met Office forecasts a 90% probability of heatwave conditions on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 July in the region.
Temperatures in Exeter are expected to reach 26 or 27 degrees once again and other parts of the region may see the mercury...
