HEADLINES
Heavitree & Whipton Barton community groups miss out on £14,600 after Danny Barnes fails to sign funding agreements
Voluntary sector grants now lost following 12% councillor attendance record highlighting need for by-elections in absentee cases. Read more.
Criminal investigation into suspended Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable dropped
Will Kerr to remain suspended while IOPC resumes previously paused conduct investigation and interim chief constable James Vaughan continues to lead force. Read more.
South West Water bills rise by a third following worst performance in sector with 550,000 hours of sewage spills
Tariffs increase as Environment Agency publishes damning data after South West Water owner Pennon Group issues £24.5 million in dividends to shareholders. Read more.
LOCAL ELECTIONS
Help hold Devon’s political parties and politicians to account during the 2025 local elections
Send us any campaign materials you receive so we can fact-check candidates’ claims and hold them to their pledges after the votes have been counted. Read more.
ON OUR RADAR
RAMM Late // Royal Albert Memorial Museum
An adults-only evening of workshops, demonstrations, dancing, music and talks. More details.
2025 Topsham Music Festival // Various venues
Three day event features jazz, percussion and classical music played by young professional musicians from across the country. More details.
The Slightest Gesture // Exeter Phoenix
Sculptor and installation artist Tabatha Andrews presents a new immersive exhibition. More details.
Festa Di Liberazione // Kaleider
Italian Cultural Association Exeter hosts a day of music, dance, poetry and Italian culture. More details.
City Slam 2025 // Exeter Phoenix
Exeter City of Literature, Taking the Mic and Spork! co-host a third city-wide spoken-word poetry competition. More details.
BELOW THE FOLD
Devon & Torbay CCA sets sail for regional democratic deficit with £500,000 crew
Combined county authority throws public accountability overboard as future regional strategic governance body ratifies constitution at inaugural meeting but fails to explain why so many staff needed to deliver so little at such colossal cost. Read more.
Sidwell Street Post Office to close as WHSmith shops sale raises risk of Exeter city centre counter service disappearance
Closure follows loss of Exeter’s last Crown Post Office in Bedford Street, since when all city branches operated by franchisees or independent businesses. Read more.
Devon & Cornwall Police complaints handling “not good enough by a long way”
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez criticises force for poor performance but statutory report also finds poor commissioner’s office complaint appeals performance. Read more.
