Friday 28 February 2025
We want to make sure that this newsletter is as helpful and engaging as possible, so over the last few weeks we've been sending two different versions at random to subscribers to gather your thoughts on how the content is presented.
One has short articles with buttons to read the full article online, the other has longer and include more of the full story within the newsletter.
Please let us know which you prefer by taking part in a quick poll using the button below. There's only one question and your opinion will help shape our 'new look' newsletter!
In a bold move towards greater local autonomy, the Leaders of Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council, and Torbay Council are working together to explore the creation of a Mayoral Strategic Authority.
A part of the Government's new devolution plans, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take power out of Whitehall, bring decision-making closer to the people of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay and unlock unprecedented opportunities for growth and innovation.
A Mayoral Strategic Authority promises to supercharge the region's ability to access greater powers and unlock additional funding for economic growth and infrastructure development, such as housing and transport.
By working together, the councils aim to ensure that Devon, Plymouth and Torbay are ready to seize this unique opportunity when the government calls for further submissions of interest.
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
 Devon schools among the first phase of the Government’s breakfast club programme
Twenty five schools in Devon are among the first in the country to offer free, daily breakfast clubs, the Government has confirmed.
From April, all primary aged children in schools identified in the first phase of the Government programme will be able to access a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare every day.
It’s thought that the programme will support parents getting into work by dropping their children off half an hour earlier.
Schools in the first phase were chosen from across England, in locations where there aren’t currently breakfast clubs.
All the schools will receive Government funding towards food and staffing costs.
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
As councillors agree an additional £5 million for children’s social care in the 2025/26 budget, Councillor Lois Samuel, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for services that support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), says solid progress in services is being made, but that challenging times still lie ahead.
Devon County Councillors have agreed a 5.5 percent increase in the children’s services budget for the coming year, to provide a range of services for children and their families.
Speaking outside the council meeting, Councillor Samuel, welcomed the new budget, adding that council finances with regards to SEND remains very challenging, driven by demand and increasing costs.
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
 Let’s plan for a bright future!
Would you like to know more about the support and advice available for young people transitioning into adulthood? Why not join one of our online support sessions?
The sessions, which young people and parents are invited to, are led by subject matter experts and are covering topics such as:
- independent living and housing options (aimed at young people)
- mental capacity and decision making (aimed at young people)
- money management (aimed at young people)
- good mental health and resilience (of interest to both young people and parents and carers)
- support for parents and carers (aimed at parents and carers)
Our next session is on Tuesday 18 March at 1pm, and is focused on training and employment opportunities. We’ll be exploring the various options available for young people who are transitioning into adulthood, and also helping attendees to learn about vocational profiles – how they can support planning and career development and how to access these resources effectively. This session is open to all, but is specifically aimed at young people.
- Date: Tuesday 18 March
- Time: 1pm to 2pm
- Location: Online through Microsoft Teams
To book your place, please visit our website.
Work has begun to build Okehampton Interchange, a new railway station on the edge of the town. The £15 million station is the newest addition to the Dartmoor Line and will connect West Devon, Torridge and North Cornwall with Exeter and beyond.
Just two minutes from the A30, the station will connect more people in the region with jobs, education, healthcare and other opportunities – growing the local economy and helping the environment.
Okehampton Interchange will complement the existing Okehampton station and will serve the growing east side of the town. It will also reduce traffic and carbon emissions through the town centre and on Station Road.
The new station will have a single platform with step-free access via a footbridge, lift and ramps. A car park will offer 200 spaces, including EV charging points and disabled bays.
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
Employers in the region are using Train4Tomorrow’s funded Skills Bootcamps to ensure the skills needs of their organisations are met. Skills Bootcamps allow employers to create a bespoke training programme to develop their staff within just 16 weeks.
Health and wellbeing charity, Improving Lives Plymouth (ILP) is among the latest organisation to take advantage of the accredited Leadership and Management training to upskill its staff.
The charity provides a wide range of services, including support for veterans and their families, assistance for those with sensory impairments, and guidance for people managing long-term health conditions.
ILP was looking to improve leadership and management skills of its line management team. It co-designed a tailored 10-week programme, held one day per week at City College Plymouth, that was affordable, relevant, and compatible with managers’ demanding schedules.
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
The Government has confirmed the latest new special school in Devon will open in September 2025, run by The Special Partnership Trust who already run several special schools in Cornwall and Devon.
Castlebridge School will have two sites. The main site will be in Ivybridge and a smaller hub site in Tavistock. It will provide specialist provision for 120 pupils aged between seven and 16 years old (Year 3 to Year 11) with high functioning Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) who are unable to access mainstream schools because of physical, medical or sensory needs or difficulties with communication, anxiety, attachment, relationships and behaviour.
It’s designed for pupils who have had a challenging experience in mainstream school and may have developed school or learning avoidance to help themselves feel safe. In many cases this will have impacted on their educational progress and self-esteem and for some pupils, also resulted in behaviour that is challenging to others.
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
Essential resurfacing and drainage improvements will be carried out on the A376 Exmouth Road, from the Winslade Junction to the Clyst St George roundabout, next month (March).
Overnight road closures will be needed for resurfacing on weekday evenings from 7pm until 6am, starting on the evening of Monday 10 March. The road will be fully open at weekends.
The scheme is scheduled for completion on Friday 21 March, although work on the roundabout is expected to be complete by Friday 14 March. Every effort will be made to re-open the road before 6am each morning where possible and safe to do so.
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
 Restoring Stover Park project continuing its heritage walks led by Dartmoor’s Daughter
The ‘Restoring Stover Park’ project will host the second of its series of six heritage walks next month (March).
Its latest walk on Friday 14 March will start at 9:30am and will follow a section of the historic Granite Tramway through woodland, meadow, and quiet lanes to Stover Country Park.
Along the way it will explore history, flora and fauna, as well as hearing about the restoration of Stover Park which is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. When the walk has finished, a campfire and delicious hot meal will be waiting in the roundhouse at Stover Country Park at 1pm.
Booking will include transport from Stover Country Park to the start of the walk, a guided walk to Stover led by qualified guide Emma Cunis, known as ‘Dartmoor’s Daughter’, and lunch around a campfire.
Read the full story on the news page of our website.
World Book Day is nearly here!
Did you know you can donate, swap and rehome pre-loved costumes at libraries across Devon? Head along to participating venues and take part this weekend!
Visit the Libraries Unlimited Facebook page for details.
|
