Devon News

A proposal about how Devon could be reshaped in the biggest overhaul of local government in 50 years looks set to suggest the county should have three councils.

Special Constables from Devon and Cornwall Police Roads Policing Team have launched an operation to crack down on the illegal use of electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs/E-bikes).

A medium-term financial plan, which stretches to 2030, has been created to assess its potential income and expenditure.

Devon & Cornwall Police has issued a warning following a noticeable increase in reported telephone scams across the region in recent weeks. Scammers are targeting residents, pretending to be from trusted organisations such as banks or law enforcement.

South West Water is extending its promise to keep people out of water poverty across the region to 2030 by accelerating smart metering, ensuring fair charging for all customers, and committing to a £200 million support package for Pennon customers.

Devon and Somerset’s fire service will still need to use £1 million of its reserves to balance its budget after it secured a maximum increase from council taxpayers.

Devon County Council is heading for “increased financial stress” with its reserves shrinking.

It's vital people have a choice of how they can contact the police, says Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez

Millions of pounds from extra council tax levied on second homes in Devon is set to help fund services.

Local businesses are set to benefit from a new four-year agreement for maintenance work on Devon’s Public Rights of Way and trails network.

Pots of money that support community initiatives could be slashed by more than a third. The funds, officially called locality budgets, are given to Devon’s county councillors for them to help projects in their wards.

A partnership initiative that helps children develop critical communication skills is having a transformative impact in Devon schools.

Norovirus reports in the two-week period to 2 February were higher than the previous two-week period.

There could be a big cash boost for repairing Devon’s roads and fixing potholes after county councillors backed new budget proposals

Young people in Devon are being urged to take up their HPV vaccine to guard against the virus that can lead to certain types of cancer.

The Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal as its President for 2025.

Devon Air Ambulance are offering a fun way for nimble-fingered supporters to help their patients.

An ambitious programme to transform care across Devon’s acute hospitals and community sites has moved a step closer.

A new scheme is being considered to help improve recycling rates across Devon which involves refuse crews recording how individual households recycle.

Devon County Council is owed more than £400,000 in rent arrears from farms it owns.

The Active Travel Funding is a share of £291 million announced nationally yesterday, Wednesday 12 February by the Government and Active Travel England, and is the largest settlement for any authority in the South West.

A deal to allow Devon County Council and Torbay to combine forces to secure greater control for various responsibilities now seems confusing at best and redundant at worst.

Teams are targeting storm overflows across the South West as part of a record £3.2bn investment over the next five years.

Devon MPs have pleaded with the government to change course on what they claim are ‘toxic’ forthcoming inheritance tax rules that will destroy many of the county’s family farms.

A scheme to support three- to five-year-olds with cleaning their teeth, known as the Big Brush Club, has now been expanded to all nursery, pre-school and reception settings at primary schools in Devon

One of my primary aims is to support victims and ensure offenders are brought to justice, says Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez

The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week by highlighting the valuable contribution apprentices play in helping deliver dedicated patient care across the region.  

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is leading ground-breaking clinical research that has the potential to transform treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders.

Devon County Council is hosting a series of monthly online support sessions aimed at helping young people and their supporters navigate the transition to adulthood.

The Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority – the governance needed for devolved decision-making powers and funding to flow from Whitehall to local decision-makers in Devon and Torbay – is now official.

The Government has turned down Devon County Council’s request to postpone its elections in May. The council made the request following the publication of a Government’s White Paper which set out its ambition for devolution.

2024 saw Devon Air Ambulance (DAA) crews responded to 10% more serious illnesses, injuries and incidents across Devon and neighbouring counties, and provided crucial, time-critical care to 4% more patients

The Great South West Defence Prospectus highlights the region’s £2.8bn sector, 61,000-strong workforce, and key hubs like Devonport, driving UK security, manufacturing growth, and global export opportunities.

Devon Trading Standards service is recommending that children’s plastic beach shoes are tested nationally after some products on sale in Devon were found to contain banned chemicals and had to be removed from sale.

PCC Alison Hernandez has said anyone interested in policing in Devon and Cornwall over the past few years will know that her focus has been on restoring neighbourhood policing and connecting residents of the force area with the police who serve them.

Following a change in classification in August 2024, certain models of Turkish top-venting blank firing (TVBF) guns are now illegal to own.

A Devon healthcare champion is calling for major reforms to the way the NHS deals with complaints from members of the public following publication of a new report and national survey.

Residents of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will pay an extra £13.70 on their council tax bills for policing for the next year.

Commissioner Hernandez is today calling on everyone to play their part as she launches her new Police and Crime Plan, a bold vision to improve policing and crime services and create safer, more resilient, and connected communities. 

Cracking down on the ‘wicked issue’ of shoplifting will become a police priority as officers across Devon embark on a new five-year plan. Alison Hernandez, police and crime commissioner, made the pledge as she launched her new strategy for policing this week.