Councillor Melanie Martin

05/05/2026

We’re delighted that Budleigh Community Youth Project – “Nutritious and Delicious” (Ref: 139967) has been selected for the Tesco Stronger Starts scheme – and now we need your help!

From 28th April to the end of July, every time you shop in selected Tesco stores, you’ll receive a blue token – please drop it into our slot to support providing a hot, nutritious meal for young people at our youth club, helping create a safe space where they can connect, build skills and thrive.

You can vote in Exmouth Superstore, Budleigh Salterton Express, and Exmouth Churchill Road and Rolle Street Express stores. It’s one token per shop, but every single one makes a difference – so please support us whenever you can and spread the word to family and friends.

Thank you, and go get those blue tokens for Budleigh!

15/03/2026

Happy Mothers Day to all mums out there, whether it’s a mum to a wonderful human being, a cat, dog, rabbit or fish, and anything in between.

Have a wonderful day.

05/03/2026

05/03/2026

We were really proud to see Seachange featured in The Daily Telegraph as part of its look at how coastal communities are changing.

The article explores both the challenges and the resilience of towns like ours, and it was great to see the spotlight on the people and organisations working hard to make a difference.

At Seachange, we care deeply about our community, our local businesses, and making sure this is a place where people of every generation feel supported and welcome.

Thank you to everyone who backs what we do. This recognition truly belongs to the whole community.

You can read the full feature here 👉🏻
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/28/east-devon-old-age-capital-britain/

05/03/2026

One for Otterton Residents, a survey by
Devon Communities Together.
Please have your say.

Do you have a local connection to Otterton? This is your chance to tell us about housing need for local people in your community. Fill in this online survey and help establish how many new homes may be needed in your area.

🏠 www.surveymonkey.com/r/OttertonHNS 🏠

Photo: Otterton Bridge by Jeff Collins, CC BY-SA 2.0

05/03/2026

05/03/2026

👉

Tensions are boiling over about where to put thousands of new homes

19/02/2026

It’s great to see our communities, both Budleigh and Ottery standing up against the proposed downgrading of hours at our local libraries.

Please read what Jess Bailey - Otter Valley Devon County Councillor has to say and read the comments shared by Councillor Charlotte FitzGerald who has hosted drop in sessions in Budleigh.

It’s important that you have your say, so please fill in the Devon County Council online consultation, which closes 22 February.

We need to protect Budleigh Library, and I will speak at Devon the County Council Cabinet meeting and any special meetings if held.

10/01/2026

The East Devon Local Plan 2020–2042 Second Regulation 19 consultation is still open and is your opportunity to comment on the final draft of the plan. All feedback received during this stage will be submitted directly to the Planning Inspector for independent examination.

The consultation closes on the 26 of January at 12pm. Click the link in the comments to take part.

The East Devon Local Plan 2020–2042 Second Regulation 19 consultation is your opportunity to review and comment on the final draft of the local development plan.

21/12/2025

Oh my goodness, what a way to end 2025!

Trail hunting to be banned in England and Wales, and also the use of snares., plus other significant animal welfare reforms.

I’m so pleased that wild and domestic animals will have some protection under the laws, let us hope that it will be enforced.

The government says the practice is being used as a "smokescreen" for the hunting of wild animals.