Councillor Hart pays thanks .....

The Chairman, on behalf of the Council at the Cabinet Meeting held on the 8 January 2014, paid tribute to and publicly thanked all those persons who had been instrumental in helping and protecting the public of Devon during the recent severe weather events.

This included the ‘blue light’ emergency services, the County Council’s highways, emergency and care staff, the Highways Agency, the Environment Agency and volunteer groups  - many of whom had been called upon at all hours, working in appalling conditions and often at risk to their own personal safety to keep others safe and maintain essential services - and also to those County Councillors who had themselves been directly involved with their communities in responding to problems.

Staff Achievements and Reward Scheme (STARS) is open to all Devon Highways staff

The STARS Environment category is ideal to nominate our teams and colleagues. Has someone you know demonstrated an outstanding contribution to caring/managing our environment, and/or our natural resources? Take the opportunity to recognise a colleague/team for the work they do? Nominations for this quarter close in the last week of March with winners chosen mid-April 2014. If you are unable to access the STARS webpage please download the nomination form and email or post it back.

Business & Customer Mangement Group

The severe weather has led to an increase in customer contact and the BCMT have, when resources allow, been providing support to the CSC assisting with the release of web CSM's.  Insurance claims are starting to increase and we have already received 231 to date . 

Good progress is being made with the Business Plan and the PPM is now available.  More detailed updates are available within this bulletin.

Work on the BCMT review continues and a number of process working groups have met to discuss existing BCMT processes.

PROW

The recent weather events brought down many trees on the PROW network and withing the country parks.  Many routes have been scoured out and several landslips on the coast paths have occurred.  One such at Appledore where the path has now been re-routed.  Investigations are being carried out on the section between Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth and the Axmouth to Lyme Regis undercliff path is likely to be closed in the near future whilst an alternative route is found.  Continue reading>>>

Business Plan Quarter 3 Update

The third quarter, despite the disruption of Christmas and the weather, has seen good progress with some previously on target moving to completed and a reduction of those with matters arising or missed. Continue reading>>>

What is the Collective Word for a Trio of DCC Materials Engineers?

That was a topic for discussion at a recent Asset Management Christmas Lunch.  the current Lab Leader, Peter Dyer, was joined by two of his predecessors Keith Grant, who ran the Lab from 1995 to 2013, and Roger Howell from 1972 to 1995.  Continue reading>>> 

County Vans

As you are aware we are facing huge budget challenges for next year and beyond.  However we do have some problems this financial year for our overheads (staffing, premises, fleet etc) budget.  This is mainly due to a drop in the predicted income levels from previous years. Continue reading>>>

Performance Management

A combined customer service report was discussed at the latest Devon Highways Board which was held on Friday 17 January.

The full report, along with the necessary attachments, is available to view on The Hub's communications tab.

Contacting Highways at the Customer Service Centre (CSC)

Recently, the CSC has been receiving emails which are sent to the whole Highways team distribution list.  This could lead to double handling or items not being dealt with at all. 

If you need to contact the Customer Service Centre Highways team, regarding a highways issue, please use their dedicated Roads and Transport Team email address.  This will be checked daily by a dedicated advisor.

Flooding in Pictures

A number of photos have been taken which record the various incidents our staff have had to deal with during the recent severe weather events. 

Competition time!

Who have we invited to come and see the impact the weather has had on the county’s road network?

Answer here 

Congratulations to Margaret Sutton who correctly answered last month's competition question.  A chocolaty treat is on its way!