Independent schools could be held to a higher standard of education by regulator Ofsted from next September onwards.
In new plans unveiled today ‘good’ will become the only acceptable standard for independent schools inspected by Ofsted.
Currently, the Ofsted framework for schools has the judgements, outstanding, good, adequate and inadequate. This consultation now seeks views on changing the ‘adequate’ grade to ‘requires improvement.’
This grade will signify that even though a school may be meeting all the independent school standards, this is the minimum...
Local councils will see their budgets reduced even further in the latest round of austerity cuts.
Eric Pickles, Local Government secretary announced that most local authorities could see their spending power reduced by nearly 3%.
The reduction in spending power- calculated to include council tax and Westminster grants- is estimated to total more than £1.7bn across all UK local authorities.
Exeter City Council will lose 3.5% of its spending power next year and a further 4.1% the following year. Responding to the announcement Council Leader Pete Edwards, said: "We are...
Devon County Council has agreed the proposed schedule of schemes to increase walking and cycling on Dartmoor.
The “Granite and Gears” project, led by the County Council and Dartmoor National Park, was awarded £4.4 million fundingfrom The Department for Transport's (DfT) Cycling Ambition fund in August.
The project is also supported with an additional £3 million from Local Transport Plan funding, section 106 money and contributions from Devon County Council, Dartmoor National Park, Teignbridge District Council and West Devon Borough Council.
Rory McCalllum, the head of children and adult protection at Devon County Council has left his £95,000 job.
The departure comes after an unannounced inspection by Ofsted found the county’ children’s protection services were “inadequate”.
Children’s protection, safeguards some of the most vulnerable of the County’s 141,000 children and young people (0-17 years old).
However the Ofsted report stated that: “There are systemic weaknesses in managerial oversight and quality assurance that enable inconsistent and ineffective practice to go unchallenged and as a...
Devon County Council is warning people to be be prepared for icy roads in parts of the county tomorrow (Thursday) morning.
Areas of higher ground could see road surface temperatures drop below freezing during the peak travel time and gritters will be out on Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Blackdown Hills and parts of north and west Devon overnight.
There is also the chance of sleet and wintry showers tomorrow morning, and everyone travelling on the county’s highways is urged to take extra care.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway...
The number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) in Devon has risen for the first time since February 2013, with figures increasing by 66 claimants over the past month. Claimants in Devon have gone up from 6,513 in October to 6,579 in November meaning a 1% increase from last month.
The news comes the same day as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) report reveals that the overall national unemployment rate has fallen.
The ONS reports that nationally 250,000 more people are now in employment since July this year.
A project to transform the outside of Exeter Central Station is almost complete.
Improvements at Exeter Central Station's forecourt should be finished by Christmas.
The £660,000 enhancement has been funded by Devon County Council, Exeter City Council and Network Rail, to encourage walking and cycling to the station.
The area outside the station has been developed to be used for seating and a cycle hub, which is proposed to include secure bike storage, bike hire, maintenance and repair facilities
The upgraded layout also includes a new bus shelter, taxi...
New flood maps issued by the environment agency show that less people in Devon and around England are now being classed as ‘at risk’ of flooding.
The maps, from the Environment Agency, show areas of the country at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea and help communities and businesses protect their properties from flooding.
The new maps, as well as providing a vital service to the public, will also help local authorities to manage surface water flood risk as required by legislation passed in 2010.
As Lead Local Flood Authority for the area, Devon County Council...
Devon County Council is planning to reduce its public transport spending by around £760,000 during 2014/15.
While the majority of the money has already been accounted for there is still around £100,000 in savings left to be found.
While there are currently no plans to withdraw any bus routes the council the council is seeking public opinion on other money saving proposals.
These proposals include reducing the free travel available to 175,000 pass holders National Bus Pass holders in Devon. This could see bus pass holders pay for travel on special bus services such...
Work on the Crediton Link Road is progressing well and is on schedule.
Devon County Council has confirmed that the scheme is on track to be completed by next Autumn and that earthwork operations will be temporarily suspended over the Christmas period, between 20 December and 6 January.
Since contractor South West Highways started construction in July, around 80% of the bulk earthworks have been carried out. Approximately 190,000 tonnes of excavated earth has been transported nearby to Dunscombe to create a water storage lagoon and to keep the A377 clean, the contractor is...
