Increasing local control
Devon has today announced that progress is being made in efforts to increase local accountability and resources over a wider range of local issues.
Outline approval has been given by the Government for a Devon-wide devolution deal which could bring greater local control and allow partners to tap into additional resources to help tackle key local priorities such as affordable housing, better public transport and connectivity, and providing for the skills that the local economy needs.
Local partners across Devon have now been invited to work together to prepare a Final Business Case to present to Government for final approval later in the year.
 This chart shows how council tax is allocated between the different authorities.
Our share of council tax as a percentage has fallen this year.
We’ve also used our share of this year’s increase to provide a one-off £5.54 cost-of-living payment - equivalent to the Teignbridge increase on a Band D property - to all households liable to pay it on their main home on 1 April.
You can find more information on our website.
Household Support Fund runs until 31 March
Our Household Support Fund is still open for people who need short-term financial support to help meet immediate needs.
If you have not received either a £650 cost-of-living payment or a previous Household Support Fund payment and are struggling to afford food and other essentials as well as paying your energy and water bills, you can apply to the fund for support.
The Fund is open until the end of March so if you need some financial help apply now via our website.
2023/24
Devon announced yesterday that the county had received a fourth tranche of the government’s Household Support Fund (just over £10 million) to help households weather the rising cost of living, to help pay for food, energy and other essential items.
Plans have to be submitted by mid-May to the Department of Work and Pensions, setting out how Team Devon, will spend the money.
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Election countdown - key dates leading to 4 May polls
The key dates in the lead up to the District and Town & Parish Council elections on 4 May are:
17 March Publication of Notice of Election – pre-election period begins
4 April Deadline to deliver completed nominations to the Returning Officer
4 April Notification of appointment of Election Agents (4 pm)
5 April Statements of Persons nominated (4 pm)
17 April Last date to register to vote on 4 May
18 April Deadline to submit a postal vote application (5pm)
18 April Deadline to change/cancel any existing absent voting arrangements (5 pm)
25 April Deadline to submit a proxy vote application (5 pm)
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25 April Notices of Poll published
25 April If no photo ID, deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (5pm)
4 May Polling Day, 7am to 10pm
5 May Vote count and declaration of results (from 10am)
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 Council vacancies – Coastal and Drainage Manager, Coastal Process Scientists (one temporary and one permanent), Estates Surveyor, Housing Officer/Senior Housing Officer
Leisure vacancies – Leisure Assistant Dawlish, Outdoor Pool Supervisor, Outdoor Pool Leisure Assistant; Casual leisure roles - Sports Coach Level 1, Class Instructor
Waste & Recycling - HGV Vehicle Mechanic
Full details of all vacancies and closing dates for applying are on our jobs portal.
More money available to help with the rising costs of living
High prices for energy, fuel, food, water, broadband and more are impacting most on those with the lowest incomes.
So, Devon Couty Council has announced another round the Growing Communities Fund, and are encouraging not-for-profit groups, charities, church or faith groups, schools and councils to bid for grants.
Typically these are grants of between £500 and £1,000, although funds of up to £3,000 will be considered for exemplary projects that will receive their funding when their project is completed.
The Growing Communities Funding is to support projects that:
- could offer warm safe spaces, something to eat and drink, and a place to work, learn, socialise or encourage healthy activity, or that address hardship such as food or fuel insecurity
- build greater degrees of self-reliance and community resilience, for example offering advice, peer support or guidance on budgeting, cooking low-cost nutritional meals
- tackle loneliness and isolation and build self-esteem
- and that have a clear and direct community and environmental benefits
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Updated Covid-19 guidance for higher risk groups
The government has updated the guidance for people aged 12 and over whose immune system means they are at higher risk of serious illness if they become infected with COVID-19. It follows the recent Government announcement offering a 2023 spring COVID-19 booster vaccine to eligible individuals.
Gonorrhoea cases rise
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging those with new or multiple sexual partners to get tested after gonorrhoea cases resurged since the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in 2021.
UKHSA warn that cases of the sexually transmitted infection are up by over a fifth on the previously highest year.
UKHSA is reminding people to wear a condom and get tested regularly if having sex with new or casual partners. Testing is free and discreet and you should get tested even if you are not showing any symptoms.
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National recognition for surgical hub
A hospital site in Exeter that is helping to reduce planned care waiting lists has received national recognition for meeting top clinical and operational standards.
The South West Ambulatory Orthopaedic Centre at the Nightingale Hospital is one of eight to be awarded accreditation as part of a pilot scheme.
After being decommissioned as a COVID hospital, the site was transformed into a state-of-the-art facility and is now home to a range of orthopaedic, ophthalmology, diagnostic, and rheumatology services.
Since then, almost 1,000 patients have been through its doors for hip and knee replacements.
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'Find a Grant' digital service launched
The Cabinet Office has launched a ‘Find a Grant’ digital service, a single place for eligible individuals and organisations to find and apply for government grants and gain access to financial support.
The Government has recently decided to make it mandatory, which means central Government departments and their arms-length bodies must advertise their competitive grant schemes via the service from 1 April.
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