Devon County Council
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.
, updated
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.
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.
Exeter real-terms wages fall while increasing in neighbouring districts
Devon Public Health Intelligence index also scores several Exeter neighbourhoods among highest combined relative poverty risk areas in county.
2024-25 SEND overspend rises to £45.8m as government “safety valve” deal target breach doubles to £14.7m in two months
County council breaches Local Government Act by failing to publish budget documents in time for scrutiny and cabinet meetings and councillors complain about missing financial information and being “kept in the dark” about SEND delivery.
Controversial Exeter bus lane changes approved after three and a half hour County Hall debate
Devon County Council claims £2.4 million “intelligent corridor” upgrades along Heavitree Road and Pinhoe Road routes could save up to “approximately four minutes” journey time and bring “economic benefit of around £2,150,000” each year.