Heat wave warning issued for parts of the UK

A heatwave warning has been issued for parts of the UK as temperatures are set to soar.

Temperatures will climb over the weekend and into next week, with the hottest conditions expected in the South West on Monday 11 July, and Tuesday 12 July.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warn that temperatures will stay high until next Friday 15 July.

They’ve issued guidance, and ask us all to prepare for the warm weather:

• shade or cover windows exposed to direct sunlight – external shutters or shades
• are very effective, internal blinds or curtains are less effective but cheaper and easier to install
• check that windows or vents can be opened
• if applicable, check mechanical ventilations systems are switched on and operating in summer mode
• check that fridges, freezers and fans are working properly
• check medicines can be stored according to the instructions on the packaging

They also ask people to check in on their vulnerable family, friends and neighbours to make sure they are prepared for the warm weather ahead.

We have produced a special edition of this newsletter about how to beat the heat, including top tips for keeping cool this summer.

Stark warning on spending from Devon finance chief

Our Director of Finance has warned that we’re facing an unprecedented black hole in our finances caused by the cost of living crisis and spiralling demand for help for vulnerable children and adults.

Angie Sinclair predicts that we could overspend by more than £40 million in the current financial year.

And she says urgent action must be taken by every council department to rein in spending.

A panel of senior officers is already looking at options for councillors to consider including spending cuts, remodelling services to save money and cancelling or delaying building projects.

Unlike central government, local councils are required by law to balance their books every year.

In a report to our Cabinet, Ms Sinclair says:

“The Council has never before faced a combination of demand growth and price shock pressures of this scale.

“The pandemic and geopolitical situation has created huge financial pressures nationally and the county council is not immune from that.

“The current forecast is unprecedented and immediate action must be taken to safeguard the financial stability of the authority.”

You can read the full story on the news page of our website.

Project launched to equip young people with entrepreneurial skills

A new project has been launched to support young people in Devon to develop key employability skills and gain an insight into entrepreneurship.

Young Entrepreneurs is being funded through our £6million recovery programme in response to the pandemic.

Devon has a high number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro-businesses, so provision of good quality enterprise education is vital in preparing young people for their future employment in the county if they plan to be self-employed or work in small enterprises.

The Young Entrepreneurs project supports the delivery of enterprise education across Devon, particularly in disadvantaged communities. It aims to allow young people to consider alternative routes into employment and will encourage them to pursue their ideas and aspirations to create new businesses and products.

The initiative is being delivered through four projects, and you can find out more about them in the full story on the news page of our website.

Openreach progressing well with Full Fibre delivery for Connecting Devon and Somerset

Openreach is making good progress with providing Full Fibre broadband connectivity to thousands of people as part of its latest collaboration with Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS).

More than 2,000 premises in some of the hardest to reach rural areas in the region will receive ultrafast broadband coverage through Openreach’s ongoing Full Fibre rollout for CDS.

Openreach is actively bringing connectivity to around 1,500 of those premises in a number of communities throughout Devon and Somerset, including Bampton, Brompton Ralph, Coffinswell, parts of Dulverton, Ilfracombe, Kentisbury Ford, Oakford, Parracombe, Rackenford, Shaugh Prior, Stogumber, Washford, and Watermouth.

In the coming months they are expected to start in Brayford, Butterleigh, Cadbury, Cadeleigh, Cheriton Fitzpaine, Filleigh, North Molton, Silverton, South Molton, Stockleigh Pomeroy and Thorverton. Design and survey work has also been undertaken in Clapworthy Mill, Meeth, South Zeal, Throwleigh, Satterleigh and Warkleigh.

More than 400 premises are currently ready for service in communities, including parts of the parish of Bickleigh and Wotter, Combeinteignhead, parts of Dulverton, and Lane End near Peter Tavy.

Read the full story on the news page of our website.

Job of the week: Engineer

We manage the largest portfolio of local authority bridges in the UK, and with an increasing workload we have a vacancy for an enthusiastic Engineer with detailed knowledge and experience of bridge design and/or management.

The successful applicant will be part of our in-house engineering practice, delivering highway and bridge related schemes, with teams covering asset management, design, inspections and capital maintenance.

The main purpose of the job is to design, prepare contracts, manage, implement and supervise highway and bridge improvement schemes and other engineering projects, from minor retaining walls to large span highway bridges. 

So if you’re a quick thinker with a creative approach to problem solving and have post graduate experience in bridge or structures-related work, then we want to hear from you.

Read the full job description and apply via the Devon Jobs website.

Local people given greater voice as health
and care partners become ‘One Devon’

Devon’s health and care partners have formally come together in a new partnership, with a responsibility to plan and deliver joined-up services which will improve the lives of people who live and work in the county.

One Devon – the name of the county’s new Integrated Care System – will also give patients, charities and community groups an even greater voice in shaping local services.

The partnership brings together NHS and care organisations, local authorities, the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector and Healthwatch.

The Integrated Care System allows organisations to work together more collaboratively, to provide better coordinated care and improve support for people’s health and wellbeing. As a system, One Devon will be increasingly focused on enabling wellness, with more focus on the wider factors impacting our health, such as housing, employment, leisure, green space and access to transport.

Learn more about the visions and ambitions of One Devon.