Friday 12 September 2025
Our ‘New Devon roadshow’ is continuing its journey across Devon, engaging with local communities, and gathering valuable feedback on the future of local government.
So far, nearly 5,000 people have taken part in our survey, which is great! If you haven’t had your say yet, there’s still plenty of time to get involved. Taking part in our online survey is a simple way to make sure your voice is part of the conversation.
You can also join us at one of our roadshow events in Exeter, Great Torrington, Seaton, Totnes, Plymouth, Kingsbridge, Holsworthy and South Molton over the next few weeks. Visit our website for the times and locations of our upcoming stops and come along, we’d love to see you! Your views are important, and we want to hear them.
Members of our leadership team are enjoying travelling to towns and communities to meet so many people across the county and hear what matters most to them. We’ve been in Dartmouth, Teignmouth and Honiton this week where residents have been sharing what they think about how decisions will be made and the importance of local representation.
 Blood pressure monitor loan service launched
You can can now borrow a blood pressure monitor and a book at the same time from all 50 of our libraries! It’s all part of The ‘One Devon’ initiative, led by our Public Health team, Libraries Unlimited and NHS Devon ICB, and has been launched as part of the local Check Your Blood Pressure campaign to mark Know Your Numbers! Week.
 Leader calls for compassion and unity
Reflecting on Devon County Council’s first full council meeting since the May elections, Council Leader Julian Brazil calls for tolerance and understanding amid rising tensions around immigration and asylum. Highlighting the need for unity in the face of national challenges, he urges residents not to scapegoat vulnerable communities.
A new plan to create more job opportunities and improve the quality of jobs in the region has been approved by councillors. The draft Get Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Working Plan aims to address longstanding economic challenges in the region, low pay in coastal and rural sectors across Devon, and barriers faced by carers, older workers and those with health conditions.
A new resource has been launched across Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay to help people stay safe during times of emotional distress or crisis. Developed as part of the region’s suicide prevention efforts, the ‘Safety Plan’ tool is designed to empower people with practical steps and support networks before reaching crisis point.
 Barnstaple enterprise hub hits milestone
Local demand for modern office space is high as Node Cowork business hub at Roundswell, Barnstaple, finds itself at full capacity with a growing waiting list. This comes as the hub celebrates having supported over 300 local companies through providing workspace and business support, an event that was marked with the visit of a number of our councillors and economy team.
Evidence collected by our trading standards service has led to four shops in Torquay and two in Paignton being closed for three months for peddling illegal tobacco and vapes, the highest numbers of closures of its kind ever seen in Devon on a single day.
Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra’s top ensemble DYJO 1 has been invited to perform at the prestigious Music For Youth Prom at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday 11 November marking a major highlight in the ensemble’s 50th anniversary year. The Music For Youth Proms celebrates the best of youth music-making across the UK, showcasing a diverse range of ensembles in one of the world’s most renowned concert venues.
A major £7.92 million project to replace the deteriorating Baulk Bridge on the B3181 near Cullompton has been given the green light, with construction expected to begin in spring 2026. Once completed, the new bridge will safeguard a vital transport link between Exeter and Cullompton, which also serves as the diversion route for the M5 motorway, for at least the next 120 years.
Parents, carers, and providers connected to Devon’s Disabled Children’s Service are invited to a special 'Direct Payment Day' event next month. It's being held at Exeter Community Centre on Friday 17 October from 9:30am to 2:30pm. There will be expert advice, practical demonstrations, and updates on employer responsibilities and support tools like the Devon Wallet.
Coleridge Bridge at Ottery St Mary is expected to re-open to the public next Wednesday (17 September) after being lifted back into place. The spans were dismantled and taken from site in July to enable three of them to be repaired, while one has been completely replaced. They have been re-assembled on site and hoisted into position this week.
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