Friday 27 February 2026
 We’re prioritising roads, children and SEND services in our £839million budget
We agreed our budget this week for the next financial year, setting out how services will be funded from April 2026. The highways maintenance budget, spending on children and families, and adult social care budget are all rising.
 Lead Councillor welcomes publication of education and SEND White Paper
The government published its education White Paper this week. Councillor Denise Bickley, our Cabinet Member for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), welcomed the publication.
"In general I like the tone of the paper; that it is a long term ambition with early help and collaboration at its heart. This is shared by Devon County Council," she said.
 SEND Operations launches new communication and relationship standard
Our SEND Operations team has launched its new communication and relationship standard. The standard sets clear expectations for how the service communicates with children, young people and their families, and will be implemented across day‑to‑day practice from April.
 Devon marks the fourth anniversary since the Russian invasion of Ukraine
This week also saw the fourth anniversary since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Three of the founding members of the Devon Ukrainian Association came to speak to all of our councillors at a meeting, and spoke passionately about their experiences of fleeing their native Ukraine.
 Connect to Work delivery partners unite for collaboration event
Partners involved in the Connect to Work programme across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay gathered at a special event this week to support the rollout of the initiative. Connect to Work is being led by Devon County Council in partnership with Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council. It aims to improve access to employment, health and skills support for over 6,000 people in the region to help reduce economic inactivity.
 We've been shortlisted for two national MJ Awards
We have been shortlisted for two categories at the 2026 MJ Awards, the national awards programme recognising excellence across local government. The council has been named a finalist for Finance Team of the Year and for its People and Culture team’s achievements in Workforce Optimisation in Children’s Services. Winners will be announced at the ceremony in London on Friday 19 June.
 Thinking about fostering? Want to find out more?
Fostering Devon is hosting an event on Friday 20 March to encourage more people to consider becoming foster carers. With 810 children currently in care in Devon, there is an urgent need for more safe and supportive homes.
Attendees will hear directly from experienced foster carers during an open questions and answers session, where they will share honest insight into the rewards and challenges of fostering. The event will also feature interactive workshops.
 Stover Country Park restoration celebrates its momentous completion
A major three‑year restoration project at Stover Country Park has now been completed, and the public are invited to help celebrate the occasion on Sunday 8 March. The Restoring Stover Park Project has seen more than £4.2 million invested in the park. Half of the funding came from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with the remainder provided by Devon County Council and a range of partners.
 Overnight closures are planned at Cowley Bridge
Overnight closures are planned on the A377 at Cowley Bridge, on the outskirts of Exeter, next month (March). The section of the road from the junction with St Andrews Road to Cowley Bridge will be closed on weeknights from 8pm-6am between Tuesday 10 March and Tuesday 24 March for resurfacing work. It will be fully open during the daytime.
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