SPECIAL REPORT
South West peninsula devolution in disarray as Devon, Exeter, Plymouth, Torbay & Cornwall seek conflicting goals and seven Devon districts left out in cold
Contempt for local democracy laid bare by unlawful County Hall failure to publish plan to postpone local elections while Westminster looks set to back local Labour bids for disproportionate influence in regional governance reorganisation.
ON OUR RADAR
Let’s Talk About: Digital Media Literacy // Exeter Library
A series of free seminars aimed at tackling misinformation and information overload in the digital world. More details.
Exeter History Book Festival // Mint Methodist Church Centre
One-day event with talks from four Devon historians and stalls from local heritage organisations. More details.
Aspects of Love // Exeter Cathedral
A lunchtime concert with mezzo-soprano Iryna Ilnytska to raise funds for Ukraine. More details.
Kalevala // St Nicholas Priory
Katy Cawkwell and fellow storytellers present tales from Finland’s national epic poem in Exeter’s oldest building. More details.
BELOW THE FOLD
Clarendon House developer submits plan to convert office block to 32 residential flats alongside 310-bed PBSA proposals
Application for change of use of existing building to be followed by application for demolition and replacement with much taller student accommodation complex following two rounds of informal public consultation on scheme. Read more.
Devon County Council “safety valve” deal target breach rises by 40% to £20.4m as SEND overspend reaches £51.6m
Cumulative SEND deficit now expected to peak at £227m while deal targets set to be missed every year to 2032, risking County Hall bankruptcy if government withdraws support. Read more.
Devon County Council 2025-26 budget to bring more service delivery cuts
£22 million cuts concealed by £60 million costs increases as council misrepresents financial position and fails to answer questions about where cuts will fall. Read more.
Deputy police and crime commissioner Mark Kingscote resigns five months after defiant appointment by Alison Hernandez
Resignation follows appointment of third Devon & Cornwall Police chief constable in eighteen months after suspensions of Jim Colwell in November and Will Kerr in July 2023. Read more.
