Devon county council may raise its council tax for the first time in four years in an effort to protect its services against further cuts. Despite a budget cut of £100 million in the last four years the Council has to find another £110 million by 2017 with several non-statutory services already under review. The council’s cabinet met on Wednesday and agreed to 1.99% increase to the current council tax levels forgoing a government grant for freezing the tax for another year. Council leader John Hart explained the decision “If I accept a council tax freeze grant from the Government this year...
A major campaign to highlight the effect smoking has on loved ones has been launched by Devon County Council, in line with a regional campaign by Smoke Free South West.
Smoking is the single greatest cause of preventable illness, premature death and health inequality in the County, and 1,200 people die prematurely each year from smoking-related illnesses such as coronary heart disease, stroke and many cancers.
The new campaign, being launched to coincide with Valentine’s Day, gives smokers the opportunity to pledge their commitment to quit in a Valentine’s card to their...
The Met Office warned that hurricane strength winds of up to 80mph will hit the South West again today to again test the regions already battered storm defences.
In the fifth consecutive day of extreme weather conditions the public has been told to prepare for even more flooding, transport disruption and power outages across Devon.
The winds will reach their peak at mid-day today as the weather system pass over the county but potential hail storms and heavy rain can still be expected until much later in the day.
The rising number of assaults against frontline staff has seen the Ambulance service re-commit to a zero tolerance approach to abuse. The South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) reports that there were 104 reports of physical abuse against frontline staff in the last 12 months. 73 of the reported assaults were referred to the police with 22 incidents leading to the abusive patients to be arrested. There are a number of more serious cases awaiting a court date as a result of these reports. Anne Payne, Health, Safety and Security Manager with SWASFT, said: “All reports of...
A new National Rural Crime Network, endorsed by eighteen (18) of the UK’s Police and Crime Commissioners, including Devon and Cornwall’s Tony Hogg, has been set-up to help tackle rural crime more effectively in England and Wales. A further 8 Commissioners are considering joining the group which could bring the total to around two thirds of PCCs across the two countries. Once established the Network will provide an online resource for police, community safety practitioners and others to interact, to share information, training development, access to case studies and link up with other...
Government Inspector Anthony Thickett starts his 19-day hearing sessions of the public examination of the Draft Local Plan 2006-26 submitted by East Devon District Council on Tuesday, 11 February.
Full details of the programme, showing the dates and subject matter of each session, are available on the programme officer’s website at http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/progofficer
Proceedings will last for just under one month and in that time the Inspector will hear evidence from the council, community organisations, protest groups and landowners and developers in the district....
Devon County Council leader, John Hart, has today offered praise for the “swift” response to the unprecedented rail problems affecting the South West.
The disruptions are mainly the result of the recent severe weather destroying around 80m of coastal track near Dawlish limiting the region’s transport links.
Extra pressure came over the weekend when a landslip on track near Yeovil cut off Devon’s rail link to the rest of the country.
Although initial expectations thought the repair work would take a week the line was re-opened just a day later.
Network Rail has revealed its choice for an alternative railway line to the heavily damaged Dawlish line today.
The plans come as the rail authority had consider an alternative to the current coastal line after the recent storms destroyed an 80m section of track near Dawlish.
The potential route from Okehampton to Plymouth via Tavistock through areas of Dartmoor National Park has already come under criticism from some transport campaigners as it bypasses large areas of South Devon.
Calling for further rail investment in the Exeter Daily today , Transport Campaigner...
I have been a Devon transport campaigner since 1975, during which time we have pressed for greater investment in railway lines and trains. In that time we have successfully seen the re-opening of stations at Pinhoe, Digby & Sowton, Ivybridge and the reintroduction of more frequent services on many local lines. This is to be applauded.
However it is now becoming abundantly clear that our railway infrastructure in and around the county is in trouble. We desperately need urgent and deep attention to the whole rail system in the region. No wonder people are feeling abandoned by...
The South West is again being readied for a battering by the elements as high winds and heavy rain approach the region. Met Office warnings for heavy rain are in place prompting further flood fears as another 10mm-20mm of rain is expected to fall on already saturated ground. The Met Office has said: “The public should be prepared for disruption to transport and locally to power supplies, particularly when combined with the impacts of heavy rainfall.”
Police and partner agencies across Devon and Cornwall are continuing to prepare for severe weather. Multi-agency co-ordination...
