Welcome to Honiton Town Council

Honiton is a rural town in East Devon approximately 17 miles east from Exeter and 9 miles north from Sidmouth at the heart of the Blackdown Hills and East Devon areas of outstanding natural beauty. It has a current population of approx. 12,000. The town is mentioned in the Domesday Book and is centred on the Roman Road (Fosse Way). Honiton is renowned for its long history of lace making. Honiton is now a vibrant town in the country; the town retains its character and vitality remaining a friendly and popular place to live, work and visit. Honiton boasts a High Street market three days per week, many independent retailers, public art gallery (Thelma Hulbert Gallery), community venue (Beehive) and excellent communication links to the A303, A373, A375, A30 & A35 also the main line railway and Exeter Airport.


Honiton Town Council has 18 Town Councillors and 6 members of staff. The annual precept for 2024/2025 is £595,225.

Tel 01404 42957  ||  Email: towncouncil@honiton.gov.uk 

 

 

 

Latest News

Honiton Christmas Market

Honiton Christmas Market

Published: 30 Oct 24

Get into the festive spirit and find the perfect gifts at our Christmas Market on Saturday 16th November, 9am - 7pm located in the Mackarness Hall. FREE ENTRY Read More...

Town Councils plea to use its market

Town Councils plea to use its market

Published: 23 Oct 24

Honiton Town Council have made it one of its top priorities to improve the regular street market. The market, which is currently held on Tuesdays and Saturdays, was granted a Royal Charter in 1257 and has been held in the High Street ever since. Unfortunately, in recent years, the market has seen a decline in the number and variety of traders and the Council want to try and revive it again, bringing it back to being a vibrant and interesting attraction for locals and tourists alike. However, there are some problems to overcome. Until a couple of years ago stalls were allowed to utilise that area of the High Street adjacent to the old Post Office, but following the publication of a health and safety report commissioned by the Council it was deemed unsafe to allocate stalls to pitches there; they were therefore moved to the broader part of the High Street, west of the junction with New Street. Due to the existence of natural breaks in this part of the town, however, such as access alleys to the rear of shops, a pedestrian crossing and bus stops, which break up the run of stalls, the appearance is not so much a market, more a random selection of traders. In order to counter this the Council has purchased a number of gazebos, which traders without one will be asked to use, and this will hopefully give a better impression of a market to potential buyers. New traders have been attracted to the market, but the lack of footfall has meant they don’t return and the market therefore relies on the handful of regular traders to keep the market going. The Market Superintendent tries to persuade the new traders to stay and help the Council to build up the market again, but the minimal trading they manage to do discourages them. The Council has introduced a regular craft market element to the markets on the last Saturday of each month and it is hoped this will encourage more people to attend; the next one of these will be on Saturday, 26th October. They are also wanting to reintroduce a farmers’ market, but again it has been difficult to attract traders, so if you know of anyone who might be interested in selling produce the Council would be pleased to hear from you. They are also considering other specialist markets to encourage people to come into town and see what is on offer. Councillor Rob Sexton, who is the Chair of the Council’s Market Working Group, says “Our message to the people of Honiton and its surrounding villages is a simple one – do you want our regular street market to thrive? If the answer to that question is Yes, we are imploring you to come into town and give it a better level of support. The more people who buy goods from the traders the more the market will flourish and attract new traders, who will then be willing to come back and give it another go, possibly becoming regulars in the process. We are doing our best to make the market more attractive, and we hope you will start to see a difference very soon, but if there are no buyers the traders simply will not stay. “The town has already seen many of its shops close due to lack of trading, and whilst there are some new retailers willing to open up and take a chance, too many of the shops in the town are now empty and we don’t want the market to go the same way. The council is hoping to launch a ‘shop local’ scheme in the near future, intended to encourage residents in the area to use their local traders, but that will take a commitment by the people of Honiton to support them”. If you have any queries, or any suggestions about how the market could be improved, the Council would be pleased to hear from you. Councillor Sexton can be contacted on robertsexton@honiton.gov.uk. Read More...

Covid & Flu Vaccinations

Covid & Flu Vaccinations

Published: 14 Oct 24

RD&E NHS trust have informed of us the latest vaccination availability: Seasonal Covid and Flu vaccinations available at: Greendale Vaccination Centre. Drive-thru vaccinations available. If you’re aged 65 and over or in a clinical risk group you’ll be invited for your Autumn covid vaccination. If you are under 65 years of age - check your eligibility: Covid - www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination Flu - www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine/ Walk in appointments are available at our clinics. You can book an appointment at one of our clinics via the National Booking System or by calling 119 – https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/COVID-19-vaccine/ Use our vaccination clinic calendar at https://shorturl.at/uQTUu to find the most up to date clinic information. For any queries, please contact us - Eastern Vaccination Service: 07729 300349 / rduh.exetervaccinationcentre@nhs.net Read More...

Pension credit eligibility

Pension credit eligibility

Published: 1 Oct 24

We are helping to promote the uptake of pension credit, housing benefit and council tax reduction following the removal of the winter fuel allowance for those not receiving Pension Credit. This will help to ensure that pensionable aged residents on low incomes across East Devon are applying for and receiving the financial support they are entitled to. Check your eligibility at gov.uk/pension-credit or by calling 0800 99 1234 If you are of pensionable age, you may be eligible to apply for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction from East Devon District Council. Apply online at eastdevon.gov.uk/apply-housing-benefit Read More...

Grant Awards Announced

Grant Awards Announced

Published: 19 Sep 24

Following the Full Council meeting on the 9th September, Honiton Town Council is delighted to have allocated a massive £52594 to a total of 21 fantastic local community groups and charities across the town. The grants will create a real impact in the community; from supporting local diverse sports and athletics groups, mental health and young people, warm spaces and befriending services, to community spaces and annual town events. The grants process has helped many community and voluntary organisations across Honiton over the years. All grant applications received are assessed and scored then presented to the Grants Advisory Panel to discuss the applications in detail. They then meet with the Finance and Policy Committee and agree the recommendations which are presented to Full Council for approval. All grants need to demonstrate that they have a direct and positive impact for Honiton residents, making Honiton a better place to live, work and play. Following the awarding of grants, the council receive feedback and pictures of how these grants have helped Honiton’s communities. Read More...

Gate to Plate a hit again

Gate to Plate a hit again

Published: 19 Sep 24

Honiton residents and visitors alike enjoyed another successful Gate to Plate event this summer. With a total of 69 different traders and 9000 to 10,000 visitors there was plenty to satisfy the pickiest of palates! HTC held their inaugural craft market the same day, with traders there reporting high visitor numbers. This craft market is scheduled to continue on the fourth Saturday of every month. Thanks to all who joined us for a lovely day of local goodies and crafts! Read More...

Volunteer Youth Helpers & Youth Leaders needed

Volunteer Youth Helpers & Youth Leaders needed

Published: 26 Jul 24

Do you want to support young people in your local community in Exeter? Get involved with St John Ambulance! St John Ambulance is currently looking for enthusiastic and committed adults (anyone aged 18+) across Cornwall to volunteer as Youth Helpers and Youth Leaders, to support young people hoping to join the local Cadet unit! If you have a spare 2 hours a week to help out, or less, we’d love to hear from you! No prior first aid or volunteering experience is needed as all necessary training, such as First Aid, is provided. As a volunteer, you’ll also get lots of development opportunities, and access to exclusive discount sites like Blue Light Card. If you want to get involved or want more information, please email Georgina Hughes, the local Project Development Officer on the Uniformed Youth Fund at georgina.hughes@sja.org.uk! To look at these roles on our webpage, or to sign up and start your application process, visit our website: www.sja.org.uk/youthteam Read More...

Honiton Town Councils Latest Newsletter

Honiton Town Councils Latest Newsletter

Published: 24 Jun 24

Please click on the header to access the latest newsletter full of information on what Honiton Town Council has been doing recently. Read More...

Upcoming and Recent Meetings