Friday 25 July 2025
‘Innovative’ proposals to work with children’s charity Barnardo’s to create eight new ‘gap’ homes, specifically designed to house and support care leavers with complex needs has been backed by our cabinet.
Recommendations to lease land at Aldens Farm in Alphington, Exeter and Silverhills in Barnstaple to enable the construction of supported accommodation for young people aged 16 and over have been supported.
It’s part of one of our missions - to improve the provision of housing for care leavers.
A new strategy aiming to increase the number of young people in education, employment or training has been endorsed by our Cabinet.
Councillors backed the “Brighter Futures – Employment, Education and Training Strategy” which not only sets out a long-term vision to tackle the levels of young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) but also looks to address the root causes of disengagement of young people aged 16-25.
A nine-point plan to reduce alcohol deaths in Devon has the backing of our cabinet.
This week, councillors heard from our Director of Public Health Steve Brown how alcohol consumption has increased in Devon across all age-groups and continues to be one of the leading causes of preventable ill health, disability, and premature death.
The latest data presented is contained within the our latest annual Public Health report, and the focus this year is on the harm caused by alcohol.
 'Local decision making' and 'cost' - two concerns voiced about plans to reorganise local government
Our series of engagement events continued this week, as we've met members of the public in Okehampton and Tavistock to hear their views about the Government's plans for local government reorganisation.
The government wants to abolish two-tier authorities - County Councils and District Councils - and to replace them with single unitary authorities, some of them led by Mayors.
It wants councils affected to engage with local residents, to seek views on new local government structures for their areas.
People in Okehampton and Tavistock were concerned about how any change would affect local decision making. They also questioned the cost of reorganising local government and the perceived value for money.
Next week, we're at The Strand in Dawlish on Tuesday, 8:30am to 10:30am; and the Town Square, Bovey Tracey on Thursday, from 8:30am to 10:30am. Please come and see us.
We also have an online survey seeking people's views and to hear their priorities. Please take part. You can read more in the story on our website.
The NHS is urging people living in Devon to celebrate how they move as part of the South West ‘Every Move Matters’ campaign. Physical activity looks different for everyone and there is no wrong way to move because everyone has different needs and reasons that motivate them to try to be more active for their health and wellbeing.
One of the brilliant things about Devon is we have so much on our doorsteps from country parks to coastal paths, and as the weather improves it’s a great time to get out and about and get active. Read more for ideas to take that first step as every move matters.
Seven talented children from Newton Abbot have left a lasting mark on Queen Street, with their creative work now proudly displayed for all to enjoy.
As part of an inter-school challenge for Walk to School Week, pupils from local schools were invited to draw a picture of, or write a poem about, the newly planted Juneberry trees on Queen Street.
 July edition of the SEND Partnership newsletter is now out!
We sent the Devon Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) newsletter out this week on behalf of the Devon Local Area SEND Partnership. It includes lots of news and information of interest to parents and carers of young people with SEND.
If you'd like to subscribe to the SEND newsletter, to receive it by email the moment it's published, you can do so here.
 Image credit: Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership
New aerial photos show the first six months of progress on Okehampton Interchange station, which is set to open in 2026.
The station will be the newest addition to the Dartmoor Line, connecting West Devon, Torridge and North Cornwall with Exeter and beyond. The £15 million scheme is being funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) with contributions from us and West Devon Borough Council.
The Exe Sailability project and its army of volunteers was presented with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Rear Admiral Chris Snow CBE DL.
Created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee, the Award is the top honour a voluntary group can receive.
Since its creations 18 years ago, Sailability, in Exmouth, has given thousands of disadvantaged people the chance to sail.
Walking and cycling links around Dinan Way in Exmouth are to be given a £3.15 million upgrade.
Councillors approved the additional measures for the Dinan Way extension scheme, which got underway at the start of the year.
To encourage active travel, particularly for shorter journeys, councillors supported proposals to develop several crossings to improve access to schools, bus stops, the Exe Estuary multi-use trail and the town centre. The aim is also to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety.
Coleridge bridge in Ottery St Mary has been dismantled and removed from site this week to enable repairs to be carried out.
The pedestrian and cycle bridge has been closed for safety reasons since December 2023, after it was struck by a falling tree, damaging the bridge deck and truss.
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