Friday 23 January 2026
We're preparing our budget for 2026/27 and we're asking residents to share their views. Each year we set a target budget before consulting with stakeholders, including businesses, voluntary organisations, and the wider public. This engagement helps shape a draft budget that will go to Cabinet and then Full Council for approval. The consultation is open until Sunday 25 January.
Two of our councillors were in London this week as part of a national campaign to highlight unfair funding for the education sector. Devon schools currently receive just under £5,000 less per mainstream pupil for Gross Dedicated Schools Grant funding, while Devon’s SEND funding is 60% less than the highest funded Local Authorities. We say that's unfair.
Residents and businesses in Ilfracombe are being urged to get the new year off to a positive start by making the most of a range of training courses on offer in the town.
Councillors received an update this week on our major programme to improve support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The “Building Inclusive Learning Communities” work is part of the wider SEND Transformation Programme, refreshed last year to speed up improvements and make sure children get the right help at the right time.
A road closure is in place at Fore Street in Kingsbridge after a large scour hole was found beneath the road during flood investigation work on Tuesday. An internal inspection of the watercourse culvert found a restriction in flow at this location that required further examination.
Ivybridge Recycling Centre was closed and evacuated for an hour on Wednesday, when a tank shell was discovered. The device was found in the non-recyclable waste container and the person responsible left the site before staff could speak to them. We’re urging residents to take extra care when clearing out sheds, garages and lofts.
Councillors received powerful feedback from parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities this week following a virtual session held last month by our Children’s Scrutiny Committee.
We’re creating a new marketing campaign to promote the Smoke Free app, which helps people in Devon quit smoking - and we’d like your input.
By taking just 10 minutes to complete our survey, you’ll help make sure messages and creative ideas really connect with the people we want to reach. Your feedback will play a vital role in supporting more people to quit smoking for good.
As a thank you, you’ll have the chance to enter a prize draw to win a £100 voucher. The winner will be chosen at random on Friday 30 January, so keep an eye on your inbox! Take the survey now - closing date: Monday 26 January at 11am.
Our closure of the A386 near Weare Giffard will continue for approximately four weeks while a permanent repair scheme is carried out. The road was closed earlier this month when strong winds during Storm Goretti brought down several large trees on a section of the route between Beam Quarry and Beam House. The uprooted trees also caused a landslip, with mud and debris blocking the highway.
An exceptionally rare Tudor map of Kingsbridge has been acquired by South West Heritage Trust, a charity commissioned by us to be custodians of the county’s archives and heritage.
The 1586 map of Kingsbridge will now be publicly accessible for researchers at the Devon Heritage Centre in Exeter, after more than four centuries in private hands.
Improvement work to enhance bus services on Heavitree Road in Exeter will get underway next month. The scheme, which will start on Monday 2 February, involves the construction of a new traffic island and installation of a new set of traffic signals at the end of the outbound (eastbound) bus lane between Grendon Road and Polsloe Road/Barrack Road.
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