Friday 14 November 2025
Councillors have been considering Devon’s proposals for the reorganisation of local government in the county.
At a special meeting of the authority’s Full Council today (Friday 14 November), councillors had the opportunity to comment on Devon’s draft business case - a proposal that would see the County Council and the eight existing Devon district councils replaced with a single unitary authority.
Today's feedback from councillors will be considered at a special Cabinet meeting next Tuesday (18 November) when it makes its final decision on the proposals.
From April Devon’s foster carers will benefit from improved fees and allowances for looking after a child.
This week, our cabinet approved a major £2 million investment into the authority’s fostering service.
Funding support for zero emission buses across Devon and improvements to bus travel in Newton Abbot and Barnstaple have been approved by Devon County Council.
Our Cabinet has backed proposals which will be funded using a share of the £10.3 million Bus Service Improvement Plan funding Devon received from the Department for Transport for this financial year.
Mark Vickers, MBE, and CEO of Olive Academies has been commissioned as Devon’s first Independent Strategic Advisor for Inclusion.
Council Leader, Councillor Julian Brazil, says the appointment is a pivotal moment that will accelerate improvement, ensure equity across Devon’s education system, and that will focus on driving the highest standards for all.
Devon County Council is set to appoint a strategic transformation partner, Newton Consulting Ltd, to help reshape its adult social care services amid rising demand and financial pressures.
The move comes as the council grapples with increasing costs and a growing number of people needing support, particularly those transitioning from children’s services and those with complex mental health needs.
Bev Brown, the driving force behind Devon’s Farmwise initiative, has been named South West Farming Ambassador of the Year 2025 at a ceremony held in Taunton last week.
Born and raised on a hill farm on Dartmoor, Bev’s roots in agriculture run deep. Her career once took her to London and the shipping industry, but her passion for farming and the countryside never wavered.
Councillors this week agreed to dissolve the Meldon Viaduct Company Limited, bringing the management and future funding of the iconic Victorian structure directly under the council’s control.
The decision marks a significant shift in how the Grade II listed viaduct near Okehampton will be preserved.
A mural created by local school children from St Nicholas Primary School, in Exeter, has been unveiled at Honiton Road Park and Ride to celebrate the completion of recent improvements of the site.
Designed using the theme ‘Greener Futures’, students in year five were asked to share their ideas about the future of buses and the environment in Exeter ahead of the arrival of the new fleet of electric buses later this year through the Devon Bus Enhanced Partnership.
A new employment scheme is being launched in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay to help support almost 6,000 people into work over the next five years.
The Connect to Work programme, backed by £22.7 million from the UK Government’s Get Britain Working Programme, is being led and delivered by the three local authorities to ensure support reflects local priorities and reaches the people who need it most. It will improve access to employment, health and skills support, and help reduce economic inactivity across the region.
The Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra (DYJO) took to one of the world’s most iconic stages on Tuesday, performing at the Music For Youth Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
This prestigious event celebrates the very best in youth music from across the UK, and DYJO’s appearance marks a proud moment for Devon as the ensemble continues its 50th anniversary celebrations.
Whether you are a new carer or have been caring for a family member, friend or neighbour for some time, you can often feel unheard or unsupported, but as an unpaid carer you have rights.
The purpose of Carers Rights Day is to ensure:
- Carers are aware of their rights
- Letting carers know where to get help and support
- Raising awareness of the needs of carers
Devon Carers have arranged information and advice awareness stands on Thursday in Barnstaple, Exeter, Tiverton and Tavistock.
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