Friday 17 November 2023
 Government gives green light to finalising a Devon and Torbay Devolution Deal
The Government has confirmed plans to finalise a ground-breaking Devolution Deal with Devon and Torbay. It means that, subject to negotiations, Devon and Torbay will be given a wide ranging package of powers and funding transferred from Whitehall to local government.
The Deal will include new funding to support skills training and new jobs. It will accelerate Devon and Torbay's transition to a net-zero economy and capitalise on expertise in environmental science and technologies. And we're seeking greater local control and resources to tackle key local challenges, such as the need for more affordable housing and improved public transport.
"The prospect of finalising a Deal soon is hugely significant," said John Hart, Leader of our Council. "It will put Devon and Torbay in a new and very different relationship with Government, one where we will have a stronger voice in Whitehall and an ability to influence policy for the benefit of our residents, communities, and businesses."
"The Minister’s welcome announcement shows there is real momentum in Government for this Deal," says Councillor David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council. "Finalising it will be an important and positive first step in a process of further devolution with the potential for our areas to evolve and grow, and to pull down vital extra funding and powers over time."
 New funding for roads will help tackle repair backlog
We’ve welcomed the Government’s announcement of an £8.3 billion investment for road maintenance over the next 11 years.
We’re receiving an extra £6.66 million this financial year, from the funding redirected from the scrapped HS2 rail line extension to Manchester. It will be followed by the same amount next year, and then there will be a minimum of £208.6 million between now and 2033/34, according to the Department for Transport.
The funding will help address some of the repair backlog on Devon’s 8,000 miles of roads, the biggest highway network of any authority in the country. Some of the money will be used to carry out patching work and other repairs before potholes deteriorate further this winter due to the wet and freezing conditions of the season. The majority of the funding for this financial year will enable us to bring forward resurfacing schemes earmarked within our future works programme.
Read more in the full story on the news page of our website.
 Royal recognition for Devon’s top volunteer groups
Three volunteer groups in Devon have received the Royal seal of approval as they are honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The Award, the highest given each year to volunteer groups, sets the benchmark for excellence in volunteering and is equivalent in status to the MBE. It recognises and celebrates outstanding achievements by groups of volunteers who regularly devote their time to helping and providing opportunities for others in the community and improving their quality of life.
Assist Teignbridge, Coldharbour Mill Museum and Disabled Sailing Association Ltd will be presented with their awards by Devon’s Lord-Lieutenant, David Fursdon, the King’s personal representative in the county, at a special ceremonial event next year.
You can read the full story on the news page of our website.
 ‘Outstanding’ children’s care home keeps on improving
A secure children’s home in Exeter, consistently rated ‘good’ by Ofsted for the last eight years, has now been described as ‘outstanding’ following the watchdog’s most recent inspection.
The Atkinson children’s home, which we run, can accommodate up to eight young people aged between 10 and 17 years old.
“The secure children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good,” said Ofsted’s inspectors.
“The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.”
Inspectors noted in their report that children at the home say that they are happy, that they feel safe, and that they have formed important, trusting relationships with peers and staff.
You can read the full story on the news page of our website.
 We’re transforming special needs services with Essex partnership
We're working to transform experiences for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Devon and their families, and are pleased to be welcoming Essex County Council as our improvement partner.
The new partnership follows an assessment by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission which identified four areas for improvement in our SEND services. Essex County Council has been on its own SEND transformation journey since 2019, making significant improvements to all previously identified weaknesses, including considerable advancements in the quality of Education Health and Care plans.
Their involvement marks a significant boost to our improvement programme, and we will work with them to focus on the effective organisational design for our SEND services, SEND sufficiency and inclusion strategies, improving communications, embedding local SEND arrangements and addressing the timeliness and quality of Education Health and Care plans.
You can read more in the full story on the news page of our website.
 Consultation launched on council-run day services
We currently operate ten in-house day care services at eight different sites across Devon. Since 2015, the number of eligible people accessing our in-house learning disability day services has reduced from 116 to 13 people.
Our learning disability day services at Lyric in Okehampton, Newholme in Honiton, Silverhill in Barnstaple, and Tumbly Hill in Kingsbridge, as well as our older people day services at Tumbly Hill, are currently not attended by anyone. The learning disability day service at Rosalind House in Tiverton is currently required by one person.
So, we have a range of options for the future of these services, from ceasing to provide them, to reducing hours, and we would like to know what you think.
Please visit our website to book a place at any of our upcoming consultation meetings and to find full details of the consultation, including supporting documents and details about how to take part.
You can read the full story on the news page of our website.
 Have Your Say on plans to improve walking and cycling facilities and links in Exmouth
We’re inviting residents and businesses to give their views on proposals to improve walking and cycling facilities and links in and around Exmouth's railway station by completing a short survey.
This consultation follows on from public engagement we held in July where we asked the public’s views on some initial ideas. We received more than 850 responses to our engagement, and this has helped us to develop these proposals further.
The proposals are intended to encourage active travel, particularly for shorter journeys, reduce congestion, improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and those with mobility issues and improve connectivity across the town. They will also help reduce carbon emissions by encouraging more people to use sustainable modes of travel.
As well as bringing benefits to local businesses through increased footfall, the proposals are also designed to make the area safer, more welcoming, and more pleasant place for all.
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
 Devon wins Sustainable Food award
A prestigious national award has been presented to the Devon Food Partnership in recognition of its work to promote healthy, sustainable and local food.
The Sustainable Food Places Bronze Award acknowledges the positive impact the Partnership has had since it was established in 2021 following the growth in demand for local food during the pandemic.
Earlier this year, the Partnership published Devon’s Good Food Strategy 2023 to 2028, which identifies the key priorities for Devon’s food system for the next five years. Since then, the Partnership has been focused on delivering these priorities which include food governance, healthy food for all, and a sustainable food economy.
You can read the full story on the news page of our website.
 16 Days of Action in Devon
16 Days of Action begins next week. Running from Saturday 25 November until Sunday 10 December, it’s an annual call from individuals, organisations, and communities across the world for an end to gender-based violence and the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
To mark 16 Days of Action in Devon this year, organisations and services are hosting a calendar of events and activities to help bring communities together, raise awareness, and shine a light on the support available to victims and survivors.
We can all play a part in helping to end violence against women and girls in our communities. Find out how to get involved, show your support, and learn more about 16 Days of Action on the Safer Devon website.
 Carers Rights Day
An unpaid carer is anyone, adult or child, who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, and cannot cope without their support.
For some people, it can feel overwhelming juggling their caring responsibilities, personal life and paid work commitments. That's why if you're a carer it's really important that you know your rights as they can help you access services, look after your health and wellbeing and support you in your caring role.
Each year Carers Rights Day raises awareness of caring, helping to identify carers and signposting them to information, advice and support. This year Devon Carers, our provider of carer support, is hosting a free information fair and vaccine hub specifically for unpaid carers on Thursday 23 November at the Exeter Phoenix in Gandy Street, Exeter, from 10am to 4pm.
If you're a carer, please pop along to find out about the help and support available and get your latest COVID-19 and flu vaccination. There are also free Christmas crafts, including present tags, bags and decorations and free refreshments!
There will also be information stands at Trago Mills, Newton Abbot and Barnstaple Library on Thursday 23 November from 10am to 4pm.
For more information about Devon Carers, please visit their website or contact the Devon Carers Helpline on 03456 434 435.
 Music for Youth Proms
Earlier this month the Devon Youth Chamber Brass performed at London's iconic Royal Albert Hall!
Representing the Devon and Torbay Music Education Hubs, they performed as part of this year's Creative Project by composer Jack Pepper at the annual Music for Youth Proms which showcases talented young musicians from across the country.
Devon Youth Chamber Brass is an initiative devised by trumpet player, brass educator and composer Sam Massey and is supported by us through the Devon and Torbay Music Education Hubs. It provides live performances and online chamber brass ensemble opportunities for young intermediate to advanced brass players in Devon aged 11 to 18 years old.
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