Friday 23 May 2025
 Top row from left: Cllr Brazil, Cllr Arnott, Cllr Thomas, Cllr Cottle-Hunkin, Councillor Clist. Bottom row from left: Cllr Buczkowski, Cllr Keeling, Cllr Jefferies, Cllr Bickley, Cllr Hodgson
New leader makes vulnerable children and fixing roads two of his ‘top priorities’
Our new leader, Councillor Julian Brazil, says that he is ‘determined to deliver the very best’ for the county’s most vulnerable children. He made the pledge following his confirmation as the new Leader of Devon County Council at a full council meeting on Thursday 22 May, a meeting where he also outlined other top priorities such as fixing Devon’s roads. At the meeting the new members of our cabinet were nominated and confirmed, as was the position of deputy leader.
A range of improved support for fully approved Devon foster carers has been agreed by our new ruling Cabinet. Councillors backed an annual council tax relief scheme, in line with some other south west authorities, which will entitle foster carers in the county to claim a payment based on the number of weeks that they provide care to a Devon County Council looked after child. Devon foster carers caring for children aged 16+ will also receive an increase in their weekly allowance, in line with the National Minimum Allowance (NMA).
With the bank holiday approaching, make sure you order your repeat prescription in advance. Visit the NHS website to find out more.
Devon families are set to benefit from dozens of new nursery places from September following government grants which will enable several primary schools to either build new nurseries or expand their existing facilities.
Want to help your child make informed choices about their future after school or college? Join our Careers Hub for an engaging virtual webinar designed especially for parents and carers in Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay.
As more outdoor activities take place throughout summer it is important to be aware of the risk of tick bites. Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures that live in areas of rough grass and woodland. They are more active from spring to autumn and can spread infections like Lyme disease. Infection rates are three times higher in Devon than the England average! Please watch our video to understand the importance of checking for ticks after activities such as walking and trail running, the steps you can take to reduce the risk and the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. And for further information visit the UKHSA website.
Supported internships help young people aged 16 to 24 years old with an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) to achieve paid employment. The programme gives young people the skills they need for work by learning in the workplace. Watch this video, which we have worked with our learning providers, interns, job coaches and employers to produce, to find out more. Or you can visit our website.
If you haven’t yet checked out the breathtaking panoramic views that Ridgetop Park in Matford, Exeter, has to offer in every direction, it’s now been made even easier to access the park. Thanks to the completion of a new pedestrian path, there is now a more direct route to the park from Luxton Road car park.
 Overnight closures for resurfacing on Braunton Road in Barnstaple
Overnight closures will get underway on Braunton Road in Barnstaple next week while resurfacing work is carried out. From Tuesday 27 May to Thursday 5 June, the road will be closed on weekday evenings from 7pm to 6am between Pilland Way and the junction with the Western Bypass.
Thinking of starting a business? Need some help building your business plan or developing your personal brand? Or maybe you could do with a bit of support with your existing business? Then sign up to our short, free online workshops designed for those who are self-employed or are considering going into business. Visit the Learn Devon website to find out more.
Being an unpaid carer can be very stressful at times, but Devon Carers can help! They offer a wide range of virtual courses where you can meet up with other unpaid carers to discuss a variety of subjects, to help support you in your caring role. Visit the Devon Carers website to find out more.
Our public health nursing team partner with Libraries Unlimited, the charity that runs libraries in Devon on our behalf, to offer safe, reliable self-weigh scales at libraries. There's a video showing how to weigh your baby using the self-weigh stations. Visit the Health for Under 5s website to find out more.
We've developed an activity pack for children aged eight years old and over to help make them scam aware. The Young Friends Against Scams pack is full of information and activities and has been created to help leaders of youth organisations inform young people how to recognise and avoid scams – but you can also download it if you’re a parent or carer looking for activities for children. Visit our Trading Standards website to download your pack now!
A huge thank you to everyone that visited us at the Devon County Show this year and to all our wonderful team and exhibitors. What a glorious three days it was, especially as we were awarded Devon Agricultural Association’s Silver Award in the ‘Most Attractive Stand’ category. Head over to our Facebook page to see some of our highlights! We look forward to seeing you again next year!
Communities across Devon are set to benefit from a major new climate action initiative thanks to £1.5 million in National Lottery funding. Harnessing the power of libraries as trusted, accessible spaces, Together for Tomorrow will support people across the region to take practical, meaningful climate action right on their doorstep.
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