Local News

Domestic abuse victims in the South West and their children will receive extra support to help them rebuild their lives in a safe environment, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced today (15 February).   

Over £11 million will be given to councils in the South West as part of £125 million government funding across England to make sure safe accommodation spaces, such as refuges and shelters, can provide victims with vital support services including healthcare, social workers and benefits.

Drug or alcohol support and other specialist services...

By Ollie Heptinstall, local democracy reporter.

Devon County Council has U-turned on a plan to charge for new disabled parking bays from April.

As part of the Conservative-run council’s new budget, it proposed a new fee of £200 for the cost of putting in new disabled bays outside homes, saving an estimated £100,000 a year.

That’s come in for considerable criticism, not least from the opposition Liberal Democrats who describe the idea as a “disability tax” which will hit the most vulnerable.

Councillors scrutinising the budget also suggested it should be...

The NHS in Devon has announced the launch of a new health and wellbeing app library for local people, powered by the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps (ORCHA).

Effectively a comparison website, the localised site for Devon allows patients and healthcare professionals to search and download from a wide range of apps, making it quicker and easier for people across Devon to access safe and accredited health and wellbeing applications on their computer or smart phone.

Founded by NHS clinicians, ORCHA is used widely for health application evaluation and...

Essential work will be carried out on the bridge on Monday 21 February and Tuesday 22 February and due to the narrow road width over the bridge it will need to be closed on both days for the safety of public and staff working on site.

The parapet on the Tiverton side of the structure needs to be repaired after being damaged by a vehicle.

Tree debris which has built up against the piers of the bridge will be removed to reduce the risk of scour damage to the structure’s cutwaters. The closure will also enable fencing work to be undertaken.

Councillor Stuart Hughes...