I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all our amazing staff for the great work you do serving the citizens of Devon, week in, week out throughout the year.

Please know that you are all individually and collectively incredibly valued. You are an absolute credit to the county of Devon and deserve every bit of gratitude we can offer.

I hope each of you will be able to take some time to relax, reflect and recharge over the seasonal break.

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy festive holiday and New Year.

Yours,

Ian

Councillor Ian Hall

Over the summer we asked for views on the existing lone working documents and the Customer Notice. Following recommendations we have now reviewed and updated the Customer Notice and procedures for risk assessing staff lone working in the community.

Due to industrial action taking place on Christmas Eve, services will be very busy with last trains departing much earlier than normal. Only travel if absolutely necessary and GWR advise you to complete your journey by lunchtime. Check before you travel.

You can find a list of all affected journeys and information about further industrial action on Inside Devon.

Although some services are closed over the Christmas and New Year period, in order to maintain critical services and deal with emergencies, some staff are required to either work or be on stand-by.

To support those who have to work and meet urgent business requirements more effectively during this time, the Christmas period working arrangements Inside Devon guide has been updated to provide information and links for those working.

December brings a time of celebration and is known as a time to eat, drink and be merry, however the festive period may bring some challenges for us all.

We are sharing some ideas and tips to promote wellbeing and maintain a healthy balance, and information about the support available if you need to reach out.

‘Carols in County Hall’ returned this year on Tuesday 20 December in Ante Chamber for a lunchtime concert.

Talented colleagues played instruments and sang to spread some Christmas cheer, performing carols such as 'Silent Night' alongside audience participation.

Well done to all involved!

Earlier this month, Learn Devon launched its new website!

The new Learn Devon website is brighter, simpler and easier to navigate, better enabling learners to find the courses and qualifications they want. Learn Devon is our adult education service who provide learning and leisure courses for adults across Devon.

Take a look at the new Learn Devon website.

In light of rising case numbers of COVID-19, flu and other respiratory viruses, the Royal Devon NHS Trust is requiring that all visitors and patients, unless medically exempt, wear a face mask in any area where clinical care is provided. 

If you will be visiting a clinical setting for work, please check and respect any guidance around wearing face masks. 

• Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
• Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Please carry on protecting ourselves, each other and the people of Devon.

Devon Youth Council exists to get the voice of young people heard and to make a positive change. We’re continuing to grow and develop our youth council, and there are lots of opportunities coming up that we’d love to have local young people involved in!

Young people can take part in free training to become a change maker, join an interview skills session and have the chance to participate in a BBC documentary, along with lots more opportunities to have a say on important subjects.

If you know someone who would like to get involved with any of these events, please ask them to email ukyouthparliament@devon.gov.uk. You can also sign up to the Devon Youth Council Network using this form.

From Tuesday 3 January 2023 the payroll helpdesk will only be available to take calls from midday each day. This is to enable us to focus on meeting our strict deadlines and deal with the high volume of tasks and queries that the team have. If you have an urgent query that cannot wait until midday please email payroll@devon.gov.uk, mark the query as urgent and the team will endeavour to respond as soon as possible.

Please note this is for a trial period of three months after which it will be reviewed.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team is offering a new series of webinars to raise awareness of loan sharks and give advice on overcoming financial barriers safely. 

With the current cost of living these subjects are more important than ever before. It is already estimated that over one million people in England are using loan sharks. 

The talks will begin at 9am. They run from Monday 9 January to Thursday 23 March. To book onto a webinar email dave.monk@birmingham.gov.uk.

• Pre- retirement - Tuesday 24 January
• Focus on Your Finances - Thursday 2 February
• Virtual Manager programme (People) - Wednesday 8 February
• Communicating and engaging with your team - Wednesday 8 March 

✔️ A reminder that your username for DeL is now your iTrent assignment/payroll number. This is the number you use to log into iTrent.

• The Book Club has announced their next read for the meeting on Tuesday 17 January. Find out what they're reading and join in.
• The Crafter's Club members are sharing their homemade Christmas cards. It's not too late for some inspiration!
• Sarah has shared some ideas from the Carbon Trust about celebrating the festive season sustainably.

Click on the image to see this week's photo on Inside Devon. You might spot some clues.

Last week's winner: Will Molyneaux, Waste Management Officer

Last week's answer: St. Mary's Church, Hemyock

Send in your own photos.