Friday 10 November 2023
 Poppy Appeal message from our Chair
Our Chair, Councillor Percy Prowse, has published a letter in support of the Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal.
The Armistice was an agreement to end the fighting of the First World War as a prelude to peace negotiations, and it began at 11am on 11 November 1918.
This year the 105th Armistice commemorations are on Saturday 11 November, and the following day, Sunday 12 November, is Remembrance Sunday.
You can read Councillor Prowse's letter on the news page of our website.
 Has your home been damaged by Storm Ciarán? Beware of rogue traders!
Our trading standards service is urging residents to be on their guard for rogue traders who might try to take advantage of the damage caused to property by Storm Ciarán.
They are concerned that desperate householders may drop their guard and be duped by unscrupulous traders who will try to convince them there is a problem when there isn’t or that they can fix the damage quickly and at a more competitive rate.
Their advice is to reject offers of goods and services from cold callers, which could include people claiming to be tree surgeons or roofers, and other tradespeople who call or knock on the door uninvited or even call out of the blue.
You can report rogue traders or get advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133.
 New drive to create bespoke community libraries
We are launching a major drive to establish a wide network of community libraries in Devon’s rural areas as an alternative to the current mobile library service, which is faced with declining use and rising costs.
Earlier this week Councillors agreed to decommission the ageing mobile library vehicles and set aside cash to help community groups and parish councils set up new community libraries.
By working with local organisations and community groups we can create a bespoke service for communities that want one, linking them with the library service which can provide access to more stock, its online offer and other council and government services.
You can find out more in the full story on the news page of our website.
Visitors to the Exeter Chiefs' game against Bristol Bears last weekend took the opportunity to have a pre-match blood pressure check before kick-off.
Around 80 people had their blood pressure checked, and just under half of those aged over 40 years old had borderline or high blood pressure readings, which they may not otherwise have known.
High blood pressure is responsible for more than half of all strokes and heart attacks, and it's a risk factor for heart disease, kidney disease and vascular dementia.
The only way to know you have the condition is to get your blood pressure measured. And that's really easy, and could save your life.
"Those people we checked last weekend who had borderline or high blood pressure readings are now able to do something about it. It's as simple as that," says Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon. "It was a win for the Chiefs on Sunday, but also a win for those people who can now take steps to reduce their blood pressure and reduce their risk of related complications."
You can read more in the full story on the news page of our website.
 Full Business Case for A382 upgrade gets approval for submission
Councillors have approved moving ahead with the next stage of the £56 million scheme to improve the A382 near Newton Abbot, and the Full Business Case is now expected to be submitted to the Department for Transport by the end of the year.
The upgrade of the A382 between Drumbridges and Newton Abbot is needed to support the development of housing and employment land allocated and proposed in Teignbridge District Council’s adopted Local Plan.
This latest phase of the scheme includes a combination of road widening, realignment, junction improvements and the introduction of shared pedestrian and cycle paths.
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
 Expanding company thanks Devon for its backing “from day one”
An innovative Devon company that we've supported with our Green Innovation Fund is set to expand and create new jobs in the county after receiving significant commercial investment to scale up its pioneering EV battery recycling technology.
Tavistock-based Altilium Metals opened its EV battery technology centre in 2022 and is now the only company in the UK recovering critical battery minerals from waste EV batteries.
Following a multi-million pound investment from the world’s leading producers of lithium, the company has begun work on a new state-of-the-art hydrometallurgical lab and a 10,000 square-foot pilot facility in Plymouth in a move that is expected to create around 50 jobs in the county.
Find out more in the full story on the news page of our website.
 North Devon prehistoric site ‘rescued’
A prehistoric site in Torridge has been rescued thanks to volunteers from a local environmental charity. A cross ridge dyke on Godborough Castle earthwork, northwest of Turner’s Wood, is one of 43 sites that has been added to Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register 2023.
It was at risk from unmanaged scrub growth, which can damage archaeological deposits and obscure the monument from view, so our Historic Environment Team supported volunteers from the charity Devon Birds to carry out scrub clearance as part of their regular site management
Although much loved, very little is known about the monument, so there are also plans to carry out research to provide better information for visitors, including new guided walks, and for the many local school children who visit the reserve each year.
Read more in the full story on the news page of our website.
 Consultation on the future of North Devon Link Service launched
Over the last couple of years, the Devon Mental Health Alliance has worked with local partners to develop community based services for adults with a range of mental health and wellbeing needs. It means that in some parts of Devon, the services we fund are now also being provided by the community, local organisations and the voluntary sector.
This is the case in Barnstaple, Bideford and Ilfracombe, so we're considering closing our North Devon Link service as local people can access these services, and a range of other mental health support, through their GP practice, primary care team and mental wellbeing groups.
We're not seeking to reduce the support that people receive, but to make sure the same support can be successfully provided within the community and that people receive the right type of support for their individual needs from the appropriate service. We want to know what you think though before we make that decision, so we've launched another consultation to ensure any concerns are considered alongside all feedback and responses already received from the first consultation.
Find out more, including how to take part in the consultation, in the full story on the news page of our website.
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