Devon County Council is mopping up today after heavy downpours caused more problems on the county’s road network over the weekend.
Parts of East Devon took the brunt of the storms, with Sidmouth, Exmouth, Newton Poppleford, Tipton St John, Metcombe, and Woodbury worst affected.
The A376 at Exmouth currently remains closed after the road surface at Courtlands Cross started to lift on Saturday evening. A gas leak was found which has been repaired. Work is ongoing to restore the road surface, and it is hoped it will re-open under two way temporary traffic lights by 4pm today....
There will be no let-up in the savings that local councils have to find over the next few years no matter who wins the General Election, the leader of Devon County Council is warning.
John Hart says the authority has already found savings of £128 million following cuts in Government funding of 60 per cent in real terms from 2011 to 2016.
But he’s now warning that further cuts of £50 million will have to be made in the next financial year with £34 million the year after.
And, he says, Devon is finding it harder to balance its budget and still meet its core duties...
More than 150 children across Devon need adoptive families each year.
With a growing number of children coming into the care system than ever before, there has never been a more crucial time to find potential adopters.
Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council are working together as part of National Adoption Week 2014 (3 November to 9 November) to encourage more people across the county to consider adoption.
Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Skills, Councillor James McInnes at Devon County Council said:
Devon County Council is continuing to open up more information about the council, its contracts and finances in a concept known as Open Data.
As part of the Council's commitment to accountability and transparency, there is a range of information available about how the council operates, its staff and what it spends.
Some examples of this are; details of all transactions that the council makes over £500, senior employee salaries, councillor allowances and expenses, contracts and tenders and grants to the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.
The Devon Association of Local Councils has welcomed the County Council’s plans to enlist the support of local communities to help maintain Devon’s 8,000 mile road network.
Devon County Council is looking to recruit an army of community Road Warden volunteers from town and parish councils – similar to its successful Snow Warden scheme. The volunteers would undertake minor maintenance work which the County Council is currently unable to do.
The Road Wardens, who would be nominated by a town council, a parish council or a group of parish councils working together. They would...
Residents in Devon are being invited to share their views on the County Council’s plans to make savings to its waste management service.
The changes, which could save the service around £265,000 next year, are part of the £100 million savings Devon County Council has to make by 2017 in response to spending reductions imposed by the Government.
The six week consultation sets out proposals to ask residents to pay towards the cost of disposing of waste materials from the repair or improvement of their houses, including UPVC windows and door, baths or shower trays, shower...
Devon County Councillors today agreed plans aimed at keeping all the Council's libraries open and run by professional staff, despite significant reductions in the service's budget.
Members heard that Councils elsewhere have successfully transferred the delivery of their libraries to ‘mutuals’ or ‘trusts’ who run the libraries on the Councils’ behalf.
And that library staff, previously employed by those Councils, have been retained and continue to professionally run their libraries, with local communities having a greater say in how their libraries are run.
Crediton’s new £8.5 million link road has opened to traffic following an official ceremony yesterday (Wednesday 1 October).
Devon County Council Chairman Councillor George Gribble unveiled a ceremonial plaque at the new road, known as Wellparks Hill, and the road opened soon after.
Construction of the 760 metre single carriageway started in July 2013. The completed road now provides a new direct route to the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate from the Wellparks roundabout on the A377, and also includes a shared cycleway and footway.
Today (October 1) sees the launch of Stoptober - the 28-day campaign to help smokers who want to stop smoking for good.
Devon County Council is encouraging smokers in the region to sign-up, and has joined forces with Smokefree South West and Public Health England to support the campaign.
Dr Virginia Pearson, Devon’s Director of Public Health, said: “Quitting smoking is as easy as searching ‘Stoptober’ online or contacting your local, council-run, Stop Smoking Service by calling 01884 836024 or emailing ndht.stopsmoking@nhs.net .
Devon County Council’s Active Life, Active Mind programme, aimed at supporting health and wellbeing, is back for the third consecutive year with events held in libraries throughout October.
The diverse programme of activities includes something for everyone. For those with creative minds, there are drawing workshops and creative writing groups, and for those looking for support with health and wellbeing there are health checks, guided walks and advice and guidance sessions.
To find out more visit your local library or website .
