Help for Community Groups
As Council finances have become more restricted, the Council has found itself less able to directly fund or grant aid other organisations or individuals working for local communities. However, we are committed to trying to help our local communities to help themselves. So, despite the cuts we still try to ‘enable’ local groups with advice and assistance.
A number of our officers will be happy to try and help.
Strategic Advice - Peter Jeffs (Corporate Director – Communities) has contacts with many community agencies, including local sports and art ‘hubs’ and will try to point you in the right direction if your issue doesn’t fall under the following categories:
PJeffs@eastdevon.gov.uk.
Funding – Jamie Buckley can assist you in finding grant making organisations and schemes. She will also advise on making an effective bid for funding.
jbuckley@eastdevon.gov.uk
Statistics – Our Information and Analysis Officer has access to all sorts of data about East Devon and its residents. Sometimes you’ll need these for funding bid.
PJeffs@eastdevon.gov.uk
Licenses – the Licensing Helpline can advise you about the different premises or personal licences you might need for fundraising or for running a group or event. (01395 517411/517410) licensing@eastdevon.gov.uk
Where to meet – Try our online list of Community Halls.
Planning & Building Regulations Permission – Please contact the Environment Directorate Reception if you need free advice on proposed buildings, structures, or if you want to use land for a different purpose
.planning@eastdevon.gov.uk)
Using the Natural Environment – For advice, assistance or information on using and conserving the natural environment including advice on managing trees, please contact the Countryside Manager – Charlie Plowden.
countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk)
Culture and Arts (including Museums) – Whether a professional artist or a community arts group or project, our Arts Development Officer, Ishbel Ramsey, will try to assist with professional advice. (NB She only works part-time). Ishbel also has links to the professional curatorial advice available for East Devon Museums. Arts@eastdevon.gov.uk
Using East Devon land – If you want to use public land for an event please contact our Street Scene Service. Streetscene@eastdevon.gov.uk)
Free Labour - We work with the Probation Service using their 'unpaid work' unit. Fore more information contact Peter Jeffs. PJeffs@eastdevon.gov.uk
Sports and Recreation – We support both Leisure East Devon and the East Devon Sports Council and can ask them to share their advice and expertise
PJeffs@eastdevon.gov.uk
Setting up a charity, employment law, finding volunteers, finding partner organisations – Please contact our colleagues at East Devon Volunteer Centre, Newholme Volunteer Centre, Northcote Lane, Honiton, EX14 1NG. (01404 549045) who we help to fund. They also have a big list of local voluntary and community groups.
