Friday 24 June 2022
Please pass this onto district, borough, parish and town councillors as appropriate. The bulletin can be shared as a link by clicking the 'View it as a Web page' link at the top. Find previous bulletins on our web page.
After nearly 17 years, Phil Norrey, our Chief Executive, has decided that it is time to retire.
Phil says:
“It has been a huge privilege to serve the elected councillors and people of Devon in this role and to work with so many talented and dedicated Devon County Council employees.
“This has been a difficult decision as Devon County Council has been such a big part of my life for nearly a quarter of a century, but it is the right time for me and, more importantly, the organisation.”
Phil will be leaving on 31 August and the Council is taking immediate steps to recruit his successor and to make an interim appointment should that be necessary.
Potential hosts for the Homes for Ukraine scheme update
Team Devon is following up with the people in Devon who registered their interest in becoming potential hosts for the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
The Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme has seen a number of people sponsoring visas for both individuals and families who are now arriving in Devon. There will be cases where these initial sponsorships are unable to continue due to a range of factors, such as a change in circumstances or the location of the host’s property.
When this happens, the process is to re-match our Ukrainian guests to another host from our Expression of Interest list. It is important that we build up a pool of potential new hosts in Devon, so we can make any transfer to a new host as quick and as seamless as possible.
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Do not use a hands-free mobile device while driving
We have a policy within Devon County Council, that applies to Councillors as well, that discourages the use of hands-free mobile devices while driving, for road safety reasons.
The policy for hands-free mobile devices states that hands-free mobile devices must only be used while the vehicle is legally parked, engine turned off and handbrake set.
We would like to politely remind Councillors of the policy because we've heard recently of a few occasions when Members, among others, have telephoned officers while driving from their hands-free device.
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Members: Come and check out Public Health Intelligence in Devon
Our Public Health Intelligence Team create a variety of interactive dashboard projects which may benefit or contribute to your understanding of public health in Devon. Currently the projects they are undertaking include the Indices of Multiple Deprivation, Childhood Obesity and Lifestyle Behaviours in Adults and they are interested in your views and observations.
Visit their SharePoint site to get involved or email publichealthintelligence-mailbox@devon.gov.uk for more information.
The team look forward to hearing from you!
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 Making a Child Friendly Devon: Wish for Devon
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, our Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, is calling on all Members and communities to support Devon County Council’s ambition to create an even better place for children, young people and families to grow up in – a Child Friendly Devon.
To support this ambition, Devon is creating a new visual identity and vision to bring Child Friendly Devon to life.
We want a Child Friendly Devon to be shaped by everyone and would like to hear the thoughts and ideas of children and young people, parents, carers and guardians.
If you’d like to shape and develop this important and exciting piece of work and make Devon an even better place for children, young people and families to grow up in, please share with your friends and family and ask them and their children to take part too.
The closing date is Sunday 3 July 2022.
The closing date is Friday 29 July 2022.
 Financial health and wellbeing
The cost of living is affecting us all. Rising inflation and energy prices are hitting households hard, adding substantial amounts to our annual bills. Are you struggling with the cost of living?
We've published some helpful information and guidance on our website, to help people in Devon who are struggling to meet the rising costs of living.
 Places now available for free holiday activities with meals this summer
Places are now available for children from across Devon, aged five to 16 years old, who are eligible for benefit-related free school meals, to take part in holiday activities with meals this summer.
It's our Holiday Activities and Food programme, providing free physical activities as well as healthy, nutritional, hot meals, for four weeks over the summer break.
This time, we've got 40,000 places available for a range of activities including sports and coaching opportunities; indoor and outdoor play activities; outings to local parks and beaches; magic and circus skills; film making, arts and crafts; music; cooking; theatre workshops; yoga and mindfulness, and a lot more.
 #TogetherWeCan fostering campaign
We are shining a light on some of the incredible team who work together to make sure our foster carers and the children in our care receive all the support they need and deserve to thrive. #TogetherWeCan be there to support children across Devon who need us the most.
Meet Sally, one of our Assessing Social Workers who finds her role ‘very rewarding being part of the journey of bringing new foster carers into Devon, to support and care for our most vulnerable children.’
If you’re interested in becoming a foster carer and being part of the amazing team, please get in touch on 0345 155 1077.
 First of 80 new Electric Vehicle charging points ready for use
The first of 80 Electric Vehicle (EV) charge points we’re planning for 38 public carparks across Devon over the next 12 months are ready for public use.
The charge points are at Dawlish’s Barton Car Park and Dartmouth’s Mayors Avenue Car Park. Each has at least two charging bays and can charge two vehicles at one time. The bays are fully accessible, and the spaces will be for the sole use of electric vehicle charging.
We have delivered the scheme thanks to our partners North Devon Council, Teignbridge District Council, East Devon District Council, West Devon Borough Council, South Hams District Council, ScottishPower and Devon Climate Emergency (DCE).
The charge points are compatible with all makes of EVs and will fully charge a 50 kWh battery in two to four hours, providing a range of up to 200 miles depending on vehicle specification.
 Marking Windrush Day at County Hall
On Wednesday 22 June, the Devon Windrush flag was raised above County Hall to mark Windrush Day, 74 years after the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury docks and its passengers began a new life in Britain.
The flag raising was attended by members of the Celebrating Windrush in Devon group, who designed the flag, our Chair Ian Hall, and Chief Executive Phil Norrey.
Refugee Week 2022
Refugee Week is a UK-wide festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees. It ends this Sunday 26 June, and our Communities Team want to take this opportunity to let you know about all of the work they've been doing with families and residents.
Since 2016, 58 families have been resettled across Devon through the UK government’s range of resettlement schemes including the UK Resettlement Scheme, Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme, Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy, Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme, Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa holders and through community sponsorship routes.
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Our Devon County Council Communications Team managing our stand at the show last year
Find our stand at the Devon County Show!
Alongside our partners, we will once again be sharing a stand at the Devon County Show from Thursday 30 June to Saturday 2 July.
This year, the stand will reflect many of DCC’s strategic priorities including climate, children and young people, economic recovery and improving health and wellbeing.
And with our range of themes, we'll have an exciting and varied mix of activities and things to come and see and do.
One of our main priorities is how we help Devon to be a better place for children and young people, and we'll have children's services representatives on the stand.
We'll have information about our Holiday Activities and Food programme this summer, as well as advice about childcare funding, employment opportunities working with children; Fostering Devon, and more.
We look forward to welcoming you in our usual place: Road 8, Stand 260.
 Going Local 2022 - event to match local suppliers with public sector buyers
Going Local 2022 is aimed at local suppliers and businesses who want to find out how to work with the public services is taking place at Bicton College in July.
Organised by the Devon and Cornwall Procurement Partnership, the event will be held at Bicton College, East Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton, Devon EX9 7BH, on Thursday 21 July 2022, from 10am to 2pm.
Among those intending to take part are Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council, Exeter City Council, Torbay Council, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Teignbridge District Council and South West Police Procurement Department.
Mya McKnight, our Carbon Officer at Devon County Council, is a guest speaker who will be explaining the Council's work regarding the climate emergency supplier supply chain net zero 2030 target, and the part that suppliers can play.
Presentations are 10:30am to 11am, and 12pm to 12:30pm.
This event is free. For more information or to register to attend the event, please email goinglocal-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Coronavirus figures still low but rising slightly
The latest COVID-19 surveillance report (June 2022) from the government's UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates that case rates have increased, including the numbers of people in hospital with coronavirus.
Here in Devon cases of the virus have also risen slightly, with the latest (as of 17 June 2022) Office of National Statistics data estimating that 2.3 per cent of Devon's population, or around one in 45 people in the county, currently have the virus.
Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health, said:
“It may not make news headlines anymore, but we are continuing to see new positive cases of coronavirus on a daily basis in Devon, among people of all ages.
"Thankfully, with most people vaccinated, the virus isn’t having the impact it once had, and most people are experiencing symptoms similar to the common cold or flu.
“With no rules to enforce, it’s reassuring to see anecdotally an awareness of risk, and that people are choosing to keep themselves to themselves when they’re feeling under the weather.
“I would still encourage people, when showing symptoms of a virus, to continue to stay home for five days if they can, which is the period during which people are most infectious, and avoiding older or vulnerable friends and relatives especially.”
Reminder: if you feel unwell don't come into an office
Leadership Group advise anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 or who develops symptoms to stay at home and avoid contact with others – in the same way you would if you had the flu or vomiting and diarrhoea.
If you are well enough and can do so, please work from home.
Members' area
Don't forget your Members' Area SharePoint site is your one-stop-shop to access resources to aid you in your role as a Devon County Councillor. Key documents from the Council's various service areas, including induction resources, are posted in the Document library, and the Who's who? highlights the best person for you to contact to help answer any queries you may have.
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