Devon News

Devon County Councillor, Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin has welcomed the government’s announcement The government had intended to impose a 20% tax on inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1 million from April 2026, ending the 100% tax relief that has been in place since the 1980s. “Under the original proposals, many family-run farms would have faced being financially crippled,” said Cllr Cottle-Hunkin, Cabinet Member responsible for rural affairs, and fifth-generation sheep farmer whose family continues to farm land in rural Torrington. “Farmers and their families have faced more than a y

The Police and Crime Commissioner has more than doubled funding available for CCTV schemes to help reduce crime in towns and villages across Devon and Cornwall after a large number of grant applications were received by her office.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the perennial puzzle of when to put the bins out. Councils all over Devon are making special arrangements to make sure collections continue right over the festive season.

As we approach the festive season, Wales and West Utilities want to help ensure everyone stays safe and warm in their homes this Christmas.

South West Water is urging households and food businesses this Christmas to take a few simple steps to prevent sewer blockages by keeping fats, oils and grease out of sinks and drains.

A year on from seizing almost £2.9 million in assets from renowned social media influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan, Devon and Cornwall Police is seeking to invest money in projects to support action on violence against women and girls.

A decision over the future of land that could be put to community use or sold for development looks set to be taken next year.

South West Water has launched a new expert-led forum in partnership with the University of Exeter in a bid to improve the safety and quality of bathing waters across the South West.

Flu levels are beginning to stablise for the first time this season according to the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). However, the agency says it’s too early to say if flu has peaked this season and it is encouraging everyone to continue following good hygiene measures.

Shoppers using the last few days before Christmas to finish off gift-buying for family and friends are being warned to watch out for crucial signs of fake goods.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez is asking residents how they want their police force to be led and held to account in the future, as she launches her annual budget consultation.

Devon County Council’s leader has sharply criticised proposals which could lead to elections being postponed in Exeter and Plymouth – and has arranged a special meeting to discuss the county’s response.

Devon County Council has warned that claims of a “23% increase” in funding for Devon are inaccurate and highly misleading, following the Government’s announcement of the provisional local government finance settlement.

Rural MPs in Devon have vowed to continue to campaign against the introduction of the so-called family farm tax as a controversial bill proceeded through parliament this week.

With a festive cold-water dip becoming a popular activity at this time of year, the RNLI is issuing safety advice to those planning to get in the water, to ensure it’s a safe and enjoyable event.

Eight NHS partners have joined forces to make it easier and faster for people to take part in cutting-edge health research in the South West.

Talks are pencilled in for the New Year to thrash out an agreement over the pay of on-call firefighters.

The NHS is facing exceptional challenges right across the country. The Royal Devon has seen significant increased demand for services recently with a high number of respiratory infections, and cases of norovirus across the Trust.

Slipping extra alcohol into someone's drink is not "fun" As Police warn drink spikers this Christmas and members of the public to be vigilant.

Devon’s fire service is set to delve into data around electric vehicle (EV) battery fires as it ramps up efforts to encourage wider responsibility around batteries.

Police in South Devon are urging residents to lock doors overnight to prevent crime. Several incidents have involved opportunistic thieves stealing car keys, along with other personal items including phones, jewellery and cash.

Sports clubs across Devon and Cornwall are being urged to be vigilant following two recent break-ins which saw high-value machinery stolen.

Residents are being warned after the county’s trading standards team claimed it discovered a director from an unregulated legal firm had been syphoning money out of £3.5 million from deceased estates.

Devon’s Children’s Commissioner has acknowledged significant improvements at Devon County Council and warned against the risk of breaking up the service as part of local government reorganisation.

Nine Devon schools remain in the government’s school rebuilding programme as ministers prepare to make way for more applications.

NHS bosses in the South West have issued a last chance call for people to get their flu jab to be protected ahead of the festive holidays, as flu hospitalisations in the region surge by three quarters (76%) in just one week.

Householders across Devon, are being warned by Trading Standards to stop using certain integrated heat pump tumble dryers immediately after a national safety alert revealed a serious fire risk.

NHS Devon is funding vital oral health lessons for children in primary schools across Devon for the next three years to support them in learning good habits and help protect their teeth for the future.

Recycle Devon is encouraging residents to save time, money and food waste this Christmas by preparing and freezing festive food ahead of time.

A funding gap of around £12 million could hit Devon’s fire service if its share of council tax is frozen over the next five years.

Devon County Councillors have agreed a bold new strategy to reshape support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), aiming to create a more inclusive education system across the county.

South West Water is offering free water-saving devices to help customers reduce their water use and save money on their bills when on a water meter.

Devon County Council is set to overhaul the way it supports some of the county’s most vulnerable young people, with a new £140 million framework aimed at improving housing and support for 16 to 25-year-olds leaving care or at risk of homelessness.

Trading Standards service is urging shoppers to check meat labels carefully this festive season after a major investigation revealed misleading claims among some local butchers and farm shops.

Devon’s health service has admitted it is struggling to afford redundancies it needs to make as part of record cost-saving targets due to its “dire” financial state.

A wide-ranging set of measures aimed at addressing the county’s housing crisis has been agreed at the latest Council cabinet meeting.

The fight against drugs is gaining momentum across the South West, through the persistent combined efforts of Police and Crime Commissioners and police forces in unity with vital partners.

The majority of Devon’s flood defences are in good repair and above the required standard, according to a national analysis.

Friction has emerged at a Devon council over votes linked to a major overhaul of the way local government will be reconfigured.

Devon County Council has stated its commitment to safeguarding the county’s rivers, recognising their vital role in ecology, heritage, and community wellbeing.

Libraries Unlimited and Devon County Council Public Health have partnered to offer free vitamins in selected libraries. The pilot scheme will offer free Healthy Start vitamins to eligible families at Kingsbridge, Tiverton, and Teignmouth Libraries from 1st December 2025.

We all want to cosy up during the colder months as well as feel festive, but it’s important to be aware of the fire risks that come with staying warm, celebrating special days, and cooking.

Devon County Councillors have agreed to take steps to address widespread concerns over deteriorating pavements and vegetation overgrowth across Exeter and surrounding communities.

A plan to secure a mayor for Devon is gaining ground as the county’s politicians furiously work behind the scenes to make a bid possible.

A progress update on a controversial proposal to change a scheme that ensures rapid responses to the most serious medical emergencies is expected later this month.

The future shape of Devon will be decided behind closed doors at Whitehall in the New Year.

Formula One technology has been embraced as part of a trial to improve WiFi on the South West’s trains.

Councillors have voted to strengthen the council’s commitment to the Armed Forces community, building on our existing pledge under the Armed Forces Covenant.

Customers are advised to check their regular train times as Great Western Railway introduces its new winter timetable from Sunday 14 December.

Devon County Council has unveiled a bold new strategy to reshape support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), aiming to create a more inclusive education system across the county.

Devon County Councillors have been urged to use their influence in their local communities and to help recruit more foster carers in Devon.

Car parking fees are to go up on Dartmoor by 3.8 per cent.

Devon County Council has brought in four temporary social workers to boost responses to safeguarding concerns for vulnerable adults, helping the council meet its two-day target for addressing cases and improving support for those at risk.

More than 100 people were arrested across the South West as police targeted illegal drugs and child exploitation. In a week of coordinated action, officers seized drugs and weapons, arrested suspects, and safeguarded vulnerable people.