Leadership excellence winner: Carl Haggerty

On Wednesday, Carl Haggerty, our Digital Communications Manager (Strategic Lead), won this year's Leadership Excellence award at the Guardian's annual Public Services Awards. Those who make it to this prestigious shortlist are already, of course, outstanding public leaders.

The award goes to Carl for his energy and openness in building on his belief that local government should be both open and digital, and for his work in rural south-west England – not always renowned for its innovation.

"I'm over the moon. Surprised and shocked, given the calibre of the other candidates. I literally couldn’t believe that I had managed to win through a public vote." That was how Carl reacted. Congratulations Carl from Devon County Council! Read his blog - Carl's Notepad

Pictured: Carl Haggerty (left) with Councillor Barry Parsons, Cabinet Member for Performance and Engagement (right)

Partnership excellence winner: Northern Devon Healthcare NHS trust

A project to help care home residents avoid hospital admission was also successful at the awards.

Jointly funded and developed by us, in partnership with the NHS Trust, the project has seen a fall in emergency hospital admissions from 109 in April 2012 to 54 in June 2013

How Create/Innovate inspired a community to get online together

Back in June, we challenged and tried to shift current thinking and cultures within the organisation during Create/Innovate month. We asked, ‘what will you do differently?’

We now have a new, regular activity taking place at Kingsbridge Library, which came about as a result of Create/Innovate. Initially it started as a one-off gadget workshop, but somehow the whole thing grew!

John Smith, Head of Services for Communities said:
“This is a great example of what can be achieved, at minimal cost, when we are able to work with local communities to co-design solutions.”

Here’s how our Devon Libraries made it happen…

Keeping Devon’s data- but for how long?

It is important to understand and make known how long we need to keep information for and why, especially when that information contains sensitive personal data.

We should only ever be keeping recorded information for as long as we have a statutory obligation or recognised business need to do so. Find out what to do and how long we should keep records (PDF version)

Social media surgeries - reminder

Following the success of the events during Create and Innovate month in June this year, we'd like to offer more social media surgeries starting with a drop-in session on the afternoon of  Wednesday 20 November, 1pm to 3pm.

Find out what they are about and where to go (PDF version) 

Copying paper options changed on Monday 11 November

A decision by our Environmental Performance Board means that we are now committed only to use copier paper from environmentally certified sources.

As from Monday 11 November the paper we purchase will be from sustainable forests or will have at least 70% recycled content – while still maintaining high performance in copiers and printers. We will continue to buy our paper from our contracted supplier Lyreco. Read all about it (PDF version)

Certificates of Appreciation

Certificates of Appreciation have been produced by Communications for use by line managers, senior managers and Heads of Service at their own discretion, to recognise their staff for the contribution they have made to the work of Devon County Council.

Show your appreciation. View the process (PDF version)

Devon Discounts - new offers

Login to Devon Discounts to access money off a new bike, for example, through our employee online discount website. This week, we are pleased to announce we have two new suppliers for Devon Discounts, Saddles and Paddles and SkooshKarma Hotels. If you know of a supplier who gives discounts to DCC employees please email communications@devon.gov.uk with the details. 

Username  dcc.staff  Password  discounts123  
then tick 'Remember Me' box.

You must not disclose login details to people who are not employees of Devon County Council
(PDF version with login details).

Cycle to Work scheme - back on track

Following the success of this year’s Devon Tour of Britain stage, the re-introduction of the Cycle to Work scheme for staff is proving popular.

We've approved 136 applications so far (61% male and 39% female). Find out more

Essentially Me at the RAMM – what objects would tell the story of your life?

Inspired by the early Cabinets of Curiosity, young people are displaying their own collections of objects to represent their lives, past and present, and their aspirations for the future, at an exhibition at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery (RAMM), Exeter.

In creating these displays, our Youth Inclusion and Support Programme (Exeter, East and Mid YISP), has been working – with the RAMM over the course of a year on the Cabinets of Curiosity project – ‘Essentially Me’.

Every object tells a story. What's inside? Come and look...

Collaboration in Practice seminar

RAMM has organised a free seminar for professionals working with clients of all ages addressing health and well being issues (PDF version)

Nominate now for our Children in Care Awards 2014

In March 2014 we will be holding an event to celebrate the achievements of our children and young people in our care, and care leavers. This is your opportunity to nominate a young person in care who you think has achieved something significant for them over the last year. Nominate now

Holsworthy College honoured by Prince Charles

Holsworthy Community College has been awarded the Prince’s Teaching Institute Mark for 2013. The college contributed to the Prince of Wales’ first residential summer school for English and history teachers in 2002 and has been involved ever since

Devon Community Directory – shortlisting

Did you know that when you are looking for services on the Devon Community Directory you can add the ones you are interested in to a shortlist? You can then email this shortlist to someone or print the shortlist in normal type, or in large print, and post it to another person. www.directory.devon.gov.uk

Teignmouth couple wins wedding

A couple from Teignmouth has won a free ceremony after visiting the launch of Exeter’s newest wedding venue. Claire Geisler entered a competition at the launch of Larkbeare House, just off Topsham Road in Exeter, and won by answering three questions correctly

Pictured: Competition winner Claire Geisler, with daughter Ruby and Trish Harrogate, Devon Registration Service Manager

Get noticed and stay safe

Between October 2012 and February 2013 in Devon, 16 pedestrians (including one child), and 13 cyclists were seriously injured. During that time 17% of all severity accidents occurred in the rain.

We are reminding pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders to wear reflective and fluorescent clothing to ensure they can be seen on the county’s roads