A new free-to join tourism network has launched to help businesses in East Devon prepare for the busy summer months.

Adam Manning www.exmouthjournal.co.uk

East Devon District Council, (EDDC) has been awarded the contract for the new East Devon Tourism Network (EDTN) to East Devon Excellence.

They hope the new strategy will ‘help businesses share expertise, fight climate change and offer the best product or service to customers.’

The new network is a key part of the East Devon Tourism Strategy, with aspirations for East Devon to become the leading, year-round tourism destination in Devon.

Cllr Nick Hookway, EDDC portfolio holder for tourism, leisure, sport and culture, said: “We are delighted to support this new East Devon-wide tourism network.  All tourism businesses are welcome to join to share ideas, find out about new opportunities and learn from best practice. By supporting the business community improve its offer, it will eventually drive more return visitors and attract new ones.”

The network will bring together key tourism representatives to address common challenges and improve operations with a heightened commitment to quality, showcasing a tourism community that can be a force for good.

The first network event will take place in March and businesses interested in joining the network to attend the event should email  tourismnetwork@eastdevonexcellence.co.uk

John Crouch, chair of East Devon Excellence, said: “We are delighted to deliver this contract to enhance local tourism.

“As a values-driven network with proven commitment to: promoting quality, working towards net zero, improved accessibility and collaboration, it will be a place where valuable information can be exchanged, and relevant opportunities explored to support businesses within the tourism sector.  We have an abundance of high-quality sustainable tourism businesses within an area of outstanding natural beauty that people can enjoy, and businesses should rightly be proud of.”

The network is supported by East Devon District Council and funded by The UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund.

The first network event will take place in March and businesses interested in joining the network to attend the event should email  tourismnetwork@eastdevonexcellence.co.uk. 

‘Ambitious’ plans for Honiton will not impact on people’s purses after the town announced a freeze on council tax to help with the cost-of-living crisis.

East Devon Reporter eastdevonnews.co.uk

The town council said now was the ‘wrong time’ to heap extra burden on households, while announcing no increase on tax for 2023/24.

Honiton Town Council said its 2023/24 budget includes a total charge of £477,979 – which equates to a cost of £112.18 council tax on a Band D property – the same amount payable as in 2022/23.

The council said funds would still be available for recruitment of staff to care for the town’s maintenance, replacing another bus shelter, a new town entrance sign and supporting the market

Honiton’s celebrations for the King’s Coronation, Hot Pennies, Gate to Plate and Charter Day are also set to receive funding from the town council this year.

Councillor Serena Sexton, Honiton Town Council chairman, said: “Now would be the wrong time to increase household bills so the town council tax will not increase.”

The town council announcement to keep costs the same comes after members voted for a freeze at its January meeting.

It said the town could still expect council investment totalling thousands of pounds to benefit groups local to Honiton.

Although town charges are frozen for the next year, council tax could rise in Honiton if the district and county councils, police and fire service demand extra cash for services.

A Honiton Town Council spokeswoman said: “The town council recognises the burden of increasing household bills.

“So not to burden people with even more costs it decided 17 January 2023 not to increase its council tax for 2023/24.”

They added: “The budget reflects the public consultation December 2022.

“Nevertheless, the town council has an ambitious programme of work for the year including recruitment of staff to care for the town’s maintenance, replacing another bus shelter, new town entrance sign and supporting the market.”

The spokeswoman said: “The town council continues to support an active programme of events in Honiton during the year including the King’s Coronation, Hot Pennies, Gate to Plate and Charter Day.

“The town council plans a budget of £42,000 grant aid to local organisations.”

There are 3,791 Band D equivalent properties in Honiton, the town council said.

Households in England and Wales will see the largest increase to their water bills in almost 20 years from April when they rise to an average £448 a year. Industry body Water UK said the 7.5% increase would see customers pay around £1.23 per day on average – an increase of 8p per day or an average £31 more on last year’s charges.

[Average household water & sewerage bill in England and Wales 2020-2023, by company. South West Water customers had the highest annual combined water and sewerage bill in England and Wales for the year ended March 2022, at £503..29 Jul 2022]

Nathan Russell www.walesonline.co.uk

Consumer groups warned the rise could prove the tipping point for the one in five customers already struggling to pay. But Water UK argued that water bills remained lower in real terms than they were a decade ago and said this year’s increase reflected higher energy costs, with water firms using around 2% of the nation’s electricity.

Firms were set to invest a further £70 billion to “eliminate harm” from storm overflows and increase water supplies by building new reservoirs and national water transfer schemes, it said, adding that they were “acutely aware of the impact of price rises on lower income and vulnerable customers” and had recently increased the level of support they offered by more than £200 million.

Water UK director of policy Stuart Colville said: “With an average increase of around 60p a week, most customers will again see a below-inflation increase in their water bill. However, we know that any increase is unwelcome, particularly at the moment.

“That is why companies are also releasing an extra £200 million to help those that may be struggling. Anyone with worries should contact their water company or go to supportontap.org for advice, and it’s worth remembering that water companies will never cut anyone off, or make them use a prepayment meter.

“Next year’s bills will support what is already the highest level of investment on record, with a further £70 billion set to be spent over coming years on building new reservoirs and ending overflows into rivers.”

The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) said regional variations and factors such as whether a customer is metered and how much water they use meant some households could face rises significantly above – or below – the average. And it said the postcode lottery of social tariff schemes meant many customers who cannot afford their bill “slip through the net”.

CCW chief executive Emma Clancy said: “Water is essential for all of us so no-one should be worried about being able to afford their bill. These increases will bring more uncertainty to struggling households at a time when they can’t be certain they will get the help they need. Low-income households need immediate relief and the long-term security of knowing their water bill will be affordable.

“It’s not fair that struggling households face a postcode lottery when it comes to getting help with their bill – that’s why we urgently need a new water affordability scheme that provides consistent support based on people’s needs.”

Jess Cook, water poverty lead at National Energy Action (NEA), said: “Social tariffs are essential for low-income households. Discounted water bills for those struggling to pay can stop the most vulnerable from cutting back or running up debt when they can ill afford to do so. But the current postcode lottery means where you live affects what you pay and what support you receive, and the Secretary of State, Therese Coffey, has suggested that fixing this is not one of her top priorities.

“With water bills rising 7.5% on average during this cost-of-living crisis, it’s more vital than ever that access to a social tariff should be made fairer, more consistent, and accessible to everyone who needs it, regardless of where they live.”

Ofwat chief executive David Black said: “We know times are tough and customers who are already struggling will be worried if they see their water bill increase, so companies should be doubling down to support those who need a helping hand. Kind words don’t mean anything unless they are backed up by action, which is why we were pleased to see the recent increase in support.”