News EDDC to celebrate 50th anniversary and Armed Forces Covenant
When this content has been created
5 April 2024
East Devon District Council (EDDC) has planned celebrations for its landmark 50th anniversary, which took place this week on Monday, April 1st.
The authority was formed on April 1st, 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, which amalgamated eight former rural and urban councils and part of a ninth. EDDC was originally based at Devon County Council's Exeter headquarters, before it moved to The Knowle in Sidmouth in 1983/84 and then later to its specially built Honiton headquarters - Blackdown House.
EDDC will be celebrating its anniversary with a ceremony at its headquarters at Blackdown House in Honiton on Thursday, June 6. The civic event will also mark the signing of the authority’s Armed Forces Covenant - which sets out its commitments to the district’s armed forces community.
The civic event will include the unveiling of a plaque and a tree planting ceremony by the chair to celebrate the 50th anniversary.
This will then be followed by the Armed Forces Covenant signing ceremony involving EDDC’s Leader – Councillor Paul Arnott, EDDC's Chief Executive and Armed Forces Champion Councillor Vicky Johns, as well as a representative from the armed forces.
Cllr 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.
“We already do a lot to support armed forces personnel, for example through housing and benefits. And as an employer EDDC also guarantees an interview where ex-forces personnel meet the essential criteria and advertise our jobs through the Career Transition Partnership scheme.
“Once signed, a copy of our Armed Forces Covenant will be published on the EDDC website, along with other information about how the council will meet or are working towards our agreed commitments.”
The authority will also be sharing memories throughout April from its past and present members and invites anyone within the community to do the same by emailing communications@eastdevon.gov.uk.