THE EXETER DIGEST

Exeter Digest #49: Exeter Community Lottery - Top-down devolution - Food waste funding

Exeter Observer celebrates five years of local public interest news publishing with the launch of our Spring 2024 community share offer, plus community and culture highlights including Poltimore Festival and our 2024 local elections briefing.

ANALYSIS & COMMENT

Australian multinational is biggest council lottery winner as 92% of local causes receive less than £500

Operator collects £26,000 and city council £16,000 in first nine months as public support for Exeter voluntary and community organisations turned into private profit. Full story here.

Council raids community fund for £6 million to pay for eight year-old food waste collection promise

Emergency decision to finance materials reclamation facility investment taken less than a week before 2024 local elections campaign officially began. Full story here.

County council to impose new local government tier despite majority opposition to devolution deal

Emptiness of claims that new combined authority will be accountable reflected in failure to respect consultation results as all eight Devon district councils decry prospective democratic deficit. Full story here.

BRIEFING

When, where and how to vote in the 2024 Exeter local elections

Our guide to casting your ballot in person, by post and by proxy as well as voter ID requirements and new regulations for postal votes. Full briefing here.

Spring 2024 community share offer

EXETER OBSERVER COMMUNITY

Exeter Observer celebrates five years of local public interest news publishing

Invest in our Spring 2024 community share offer to help us deliver all the independent journalism Exeter needs and make it five more. More details here.

ON OUR RADAR

Compline - Ascension Day celebration // St Olave’s Church

Performances of plainchant and polyphony with prayers. Thursday 9 May. More details here.

Exeter Pride 2024 // Northernhay Gardens

Exeter Pride returns for a celebration of LGBTQ+ diversity with a parade, marketplace, music, cabaret and more. Saturday 11 May. More details here.

Bloom Festival 2024 // Exeter Phoenix

Mental health and wellbeing event returns with a day of workshops, talks, poetry and performances. Sunday 12 May. More details here.

Pint of Science // Exeter city centre

Three day festival presents talks by Exeter research scientists in three city centre pubs. Monday 13 to Wednesday 15 May. More details here.

Poltimore Festival 2024 // Poltimore House

A two-day outdoor festival featuring live music, workshops, food stalls, secret cinema and a craft market. Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 May. More details here.

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