Devon County Council

Devon & Somerset Trading Standards is warning residents to be on the look out for scams.

With the Trading Standards Institute ’s ‘ Scam Awareness Month ’ already underway, local people are being advised on how to avoid falling victim to professional scams that could end up leaving them thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Every year in the South West, hundreds of people are conned by scammers and since May 2012 the total number of complaints made to the team, which is part of a joint service commissioned by Devon County Council and Somerset County Council , have risen by...

The County Council raised the European flag at County Hall today (9 May) to mark International Europe Day 2013.

Exactly 63 years ago, the French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, took the first steps in a speech that held out a hand of friendship to Germany, towards the creation of the European Economic Community, which developed to become the European Union.

Mr Schuman spoke of their two countries cooperating with each other to pool their economic resources, and to no longer be enemies.

What began with his speech 63 years ago, has formed the union today of 27...

The results from the Devon County Council elections have been announced, revealing that the Conservatives have retained overall control with 38 seats, a net loss of 3 and a 35.6% share of the vote. The Lib Dems have 9 seats, a net loss of 4 and a 15.9% share. Labour have 7 seats (all of which are in Exeter), gaining 2 seats and a 13.3% share. UKIP won 4 seats for the first time, and a share of 23.2%. Independents won 3 and the Green Party 1 seat.

The results place UKIP in second place in terms of share of the vote with the Lib Dems second on number of seats.

There was an...

Candidates and party activists across the county - excluding the two unitary authorities of Plymouth and Torbay who do not have elections - have been spending the last few days and hours anxiously stuffing leaflets through letterboxes and knocking on doors in final campaigning for today's Devon County Council elections.

The County Council seats are elected every four years and last fought in 2009.

Devon County Council is currently controlled by the Conservatives under leader Councillor John Hart. The Liberal Democrats have been their traditional opposition across the region...

A series of special events for anyone interested in fostering continue next month, as Devon County Council continues its drive to recruit carers.

The Council is hosting a mixture of information events and stalls in a bid to encourage more people to consider becoming foster families and give those interested the chance to find out whether fostering would be suitable for them.

Devon has over 700 children in care, and just over 300 fostering households. However many current foster carers are approaching retirement age so the County Council needs to recruit new carers.

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Bikeability cycle training in Devon has been given a glowing endorsement from parents whose children have taken part in the course.

A survey by Devon County Council and the Plymouth School Sports Partnership found that 95% of parents rated the cycle training in Devon highly or very highly.

The effect of providing Bikeability in Devon is also demonstrated by the fact that 64% of pupils who had completed the course would now ride their bikes three or more times a week.

Bikeability is a national initiative offering “cycling proficiency” for the 21st century which has...

Devon has been highlighted in the All Party Parliamentary Group’s “Get Britain Cycling” inquiry report.

Devon County Council’s Head of Highways Lester Willmington addressed the inquiry in Westminster in February to detail how more people have been encouraged to cycle in Devon.

Today’s report is calling for the Prime Minister and Transport Secretary to publicly commit to an action plan, backed by all Government departments to promote cycling and cycle safety. The group has set out its long-term ambition to increase cycle use from less than 2% of journeys in 2011, to 10% of...

More than 98 per cent of Devon’s five-year-old children have been offered a place at one of their preferred primary schools this year.

94.7 per cent of the families who applied to Devon County Council have been offered their first choice school.

Three per cent have been offered their second choice and 0.45 per cent their third option.

That’s despite an increase in the number of children requiring places across the county.

Altogether, 7,764 children have been offered places compared with 7,601 last year.

Devon’s Head of Education, Sue Clarke, said: “I...

Three consultants, all experts in their fields, have joined the Exeter office of leading environmental firm, SLR Consulting. The move helps to extend the company’s capabilities to clients across the South West – especially on flood-related environmental issues – an area that has seen significant increase following last year’s floods.

Chartered Civil Engineer Ian Walton has joined the hydrology and hydrogeology team as a Technical Director. Ian has over 30 years’ experience and is tasked with further developing the company’s hydrology service offering.

With an MSc in...

Construction work has started on the multi-million pound project to transform Exeter Central Library into a first class facility for information, learning and culture.

The flagship 1960s building has been officially handed over to leading construction company Mansell who have been appointed by Devon County Council to undertake the redevelopment.

The ambitious scheme will see a range of improvements made to the library including better accessibility, increased space for children and a new café.

Hoardings are being put up around site and the first task to safely...