East Devon Council anniversary and Armed Forces Covenant

The local authority was formed on April 1, 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972.

It amalgamated eight former rural and urban councils and part of a ninth.

To celebrate the anniversary, there will be a ceremony to take place at the council's Blackdown House headquarters on Thursday, June 6.

It will include plaque unveiling and tree planting,

Following these activities, EDDC’s leader, councillor Paul Arnott, chief executive, and armed forces champion councillor Vicky Johns, along with a representative from the armed forces, will begin the Armed Forces Covenant signing ceremony.

Ms Johns said: "The Covenant includes areas such as how we support the employment of veterans, support for service spouses and partners who are employed by us, involving armed forces groups when we consult and supporting national events."

The council already offers significant support to armed forces personnel, especially in the realms of housing and benefits.

As an employer, EDDC offers a guaranteed interview to ex-forced personnel who meet the necessary criteria.

The Covenant, once signed, will be available on the EDDC website.

EDDC invites its community to contribute to a shared, collective memory by sending an email to communications@eastdevon.gov.uk.

One story that particularly holds significance is the account shared by the EDDC honorary alderman David Atkins.

As one of the first councillors to serve the district council and a member for a collective 26 years, Mr Atkins shared his recollections of the council in its infancy.

He pointed out that EDDC marked a shift from the previous system, under which the public weren't allowed to pass comments about planning applications, making it challenging for the community to exert influence in shaping their communities.

Mr Atkins recalled: "Members of the public and parish council were not allowed to pass comments to Devon County Council (DCC) about any planning applications.

"But, in the years before as we were preparing to establish the new authority, councillors worked hard to persuade DCC that this should change."

He also noted some of the hurdles faced in establishing the new district council and lauded the cooperative spirit that characterised its formation.

This seamless transition was greatly aided by local council chairs, leaders and chief executives who came forward to share their knowledge for regional benefit.

Mr Atkins fondly called the purchase and subsequent conversion of the Knowle from a hotel to their headquarters as one of their "biggest coups".