Tuesday 4 March 2025
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 Above inflation budget increases for vulnerable people and cash boost for highways
There will be a 4.99 percent increase in council tax in Devon for the coming financial year.
Devon County Councillors have agreed an increase of 2.99 percent for general services with an extra two percent for adult social care.
The annual council tax for an average Band D home will rise by £85.59 – or £1.64 a week – to £1,801.26.
There will be increases in spending of 8.2 percent on adult services and 5.5 percent for children’s services.
Find out more on the news page of our website.
Councils collaborate on devolution plans
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.
 Planning for the net zero energy transition
Thursday 3 April 2025, 10.00am - 11.30am
There is a considerable amount of change happening to the UK energy system to help us achieve our current net zero target by 2050 and to increase our energy independence and security.
Over the last decade, the focus from central government has been to establish the policy required to facilitate the move from a predominantly fossil based energy system, relying heavily on natural gas for space heating and electricity and petrol or diesel for transportation, to a low carbon energy system which will generate electricity from renewables (wind and solar predominantly).
This means that space heating, both domestic and commercial, will be 70-80 per cent from electric sources (heat pumps) and 20-30 per cent heat networks (using waste heat e.g. energy from waste plants, data centres or large heat pumps).
As this agenda evolves under the new government, local authorities need to be at the centre of the UK’s energy transition by baselining energy overviews, developing plans for local area energy and heat networks and working with the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and the emerging Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs).
Speakers at this LGA event will focus on how councils are coordinating work within their local energy systems to ensure they have a local and regional vision for their energy needs to achieve net zero targets.
This sustainability virtual event is delivered by the LGA, funded by and, in partnership with the Crown Commercial Service. For more information on the Sustainability Programme please visit the website or get in touch via sustainability@local.gov.uk
Useful links:
LGA Sustainability Hub
This is a virtual event run on the Zoom platform. Book via this link Local Government Association
Reporting abusive and harassing behaviour
Members are being urged to report any incidents of harassment, discrimination, bullying or other unacceptable behaviour in connection with their role. You can do this anonymously if you wish or request further support (someone will get back to you).
This Unacceptable Behaviour and Discrimination Report Form is provided for members of Devon County Council staff, elected Members and people who use Devon County Council services or recruitment processes to report incidents including those related to unacceptable behaviour of a colleague, service, service user or member of the public.
You can also access this form by using the QR code.
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Useful highway contacts for Devon communities
Member benefits - Vivup
The Council benefits platform Vivup is also open to Members where you can access a range of different discounts and deals by signing up. There are over 900 national and local discounts on everyday essentials and beyond.
You’ll find discounts at supermarkets and other retailers such as Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Marks & Spencer and John Lewis & Partners. You can also save on fuel with a Morrison’s fuel card.
There are also discounts for days out, mobile and broadband, cinema tickets at Vue and Odeon and so much more!
Sign in to Vivup through vivup.co.uk.
Member can also benefit from the cycle to work scheme as well as local Devon Discounts and KAAP schemes. More information can be found on Inside Devon.
For any questions around this email the HR Payroll team.
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 Photo bottom left, the Exeter College Apprenticeship Expo. Apprentices Oscar and Kale were joined by Beth and Neve from our Apprenticeships Team and Learning and Development Manager, Jo Prince-White. Photo right-hand side: Business Admin apprentices Bronte Wardle, Luna Crawford-Leighton and Neve Hart met with our Deputy Director of People and Culture, Sam Fraser for a ‘Back to the floor session’.
Building relationships during National Apprenticeship Week 2025
National Apprenticeship Week brings together everyone passionate about apprenticeships and skills to celebrate the value, benefit, and opportunities that they bring.
Our Devon County Council apprentices used the time to highlight the opportunities for apprentices, meet with colleagues and share stories across social media channels.
Take a look at highlights from the week on Inside Devon.
Know someone transitioning to adulthood?
The next session in our Preparing for Adulthood series takes place on Tuesday 18 March.
In this session, we'll be exploring the various training and employment opportunities available for young people who are transitioning into adulthood. We'll also be helping attendees to learn about vocational profiles - how they can support planning and career development and how to access these resources effectively.
📅 Date: Tuesday 18 March
⌚ Time: 1pm to 2pm
🖥️ Where: Online through Microsoft Teams
These sessions are an opportunity for residents to hear about the support and advice available for young people, and those that support them. This session is open to all, but is specifically aimed at young people.
Book a place, or find out more about our other upcoming topics.
(Please note, our Inside Devon website is now restricted to employees and selected partners only. Access is available to anyone with a devon.gov.uk, nhs.net, learndevon.co.uk, or activedevon.org email address.)
 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.
Further news headlines:
Members' area
Don't forget your Members' Area SharePoint site is your one-stop-shop to access resources to support 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.
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