Devon county councillors are calling on the region’s MPs to rebel against the Government if the local government settlement is again inadequate to provide front line services and support for vulnerable people. County Labour Leader Cllr Richard Westlake said: “The County Council is facing the stark reality of further overall budget cuts totaling £34 million, a devastating amount for any local authority to bear. The final decision on the county council’s budget, along with the level of council tax, is likely to be made on February 18.
People in Exeter are being given the chance to quiz councillors on any key issues for the city.
Exeter residents are invited to put forward questions to members of the joint County and City Councils' Exeter Board, at their next meeting on 19 November at 5:30pm at the Civic Centre in Paris Street.
The Board allocates 15 minutes for their ‘open forum’, with 3 minutes per speaker, with a maximum of 3 - 4 speakers to allow time for discussion.
Previously, residents have prompted debate about issues including street lighting, homelessness and waste collection. Questions...
Residents of Sandford, near Crediton, are celebrating after the official opening of affordable new homes in the village. Summerfield Developments have recently completed work on the Creedy View development set in the Mid-Devon countryside.
The scheme is the first major residential development in the area for over 20 years and each of the nineteen properties have been carefully designed by the Taunton-based developer to complement its delightful rural location, while offering all the benefits of a modern home.
Chair of Sandford Parish Council, Shuana Waller, invited local...
Teignbridge District Council has announced key roles following the local elections.
Teignbridge’s Full Council on Tuesday 19 May 2015 saw Cllr Mike Hocking, who represents the Newton Abbot ward of Bradley, elected as new council chairman.
Outgoing chairman Anthony Ballinger thanked Teignbridge staff for their support during his tenure before formally handing over the chain of office.
Cllr Rosalind Prowse, who represents the ward of Dawlish South West, was appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Council.
Cllr Jeremy Christophers was reappointed as Leader and Cllr...
A group campaigning for better travel solutions in the south west areas of Exeter has asked all prospective councillors for Cowick, Alphington and St Thomas for their views on key issues such as whether or not they support a review of proposed measures, including a park and ride on the site of Oaklands Riding School. The reply to date has been mainly silence. CWEST (Campaign for SW Exeter Smarter Travel) spokesperson, Lynn Wetenhall said: “We are very surprised and disappointed with the lack of response from prospective councillors.
As political campaigners across the UK start knocking on doors ahead of the general election, rural insurer, NFU Mutual is warning that those chasing the countryside vote might find it has unexpected teeth.
Over the past two years, the insurer paid out over £1 million in claims for dogs biting visitors to rural properties. With the general election only weeks away, the insurer is reminding property owners that whatever their political persuasion, they have a duty of care to ensure that political canvassers are safe on their property.
With local elections in East Devon taking place on 7 May (coinciding with the date for the General Election), Returning Officer Mark Williams will shortly be embarking on a mini tour of the district to explain the procedures for standing as candidates for towns, parishes or the district council.
The events will be in Axminster, Cranbrook, Exmouth and Honiton.
The roadshows are a repeat of an initiative Mark has undertaken every four years in the run-up to local elections to make people aware that they could play an active part in local democracy either representing their...
People in Exeter are being given the chance to quiz councillors on any “burning” issues for the city.
Exeter residents are invited to put forward questions to members of the joint County and City Councils' Exeter Board, at their next meeting on 15 January at 5:30pm at the Civic Centre in Paris Street. The Board allocates 15 minutes for their ‘open forum’, with 3 minutes per speaker, with a maximum of three to four speakers to allow time for discussion.
Previously, residents have prompted debate about issues including street lighting, homelessness and waste collection....
Members of the City Council's Executive are being asked to back a move towards providing more services electronically.
"More and more people are now accessing their services electronically, via the website and through social media," said Cllr Rob Hannaford, Lead Councillor for Housing and Customer Access.
"Whilst there will always be the need to provide face to face support for some issues, we feel that people would find it more convenient to do things for themselves online at a time that is convenient to them,” he added.
