Devon County Council

From Sian Hester, Exeter 383523, November 17,2008

Devon County Council is finding local solutions to try and beat the effects of the economic slowdown.

A recent report by the public and corporate economic consultants, PACEC, shows that the national pattern of changes in the economy is not uniformly spread across the country. Up to 130,000 jobs, around 5.1% of the current work force could be lost in the South West over the next 2 years.

This compares to 7.9% in London, 6.8% in Yorkshire and Humberside and 6.7% in the North West. Overall the report concludes that London is at the most risk to be hit hardest and the South West the least. However, a targeted response to the effects of a recession is still necessary

Some of the Council's recent initiatives are;

Payment terms to creditors from the industry are being reduced from the standard 30 days, down to 20 days. The council pays out approximately £400 million to suppliers per annum, so reducing their payment terms is expected to help businesses considerably.

A scheme by the Devon Welfare Rights Unit, funded by Devon County Council to ensure families get the benefits to which they are entitled. Earlier this year, over 500 families secured their full entitlement, totalling more than £2million.

The launch of a business advice scheme for shop owners, whose businesses provide a partnered post office service, complemented by annual grants of up to £5,000 for up to three years. The grant scheme is thought to be the first of its kind in the country.

£48million is being invested in local projects across Devon funded by the sale of Exeter airport. This was divided into funds all targeting areas of improvement and has included funding towards the Lynton and Lynmouth Hydro-Electrical scheme, £100,000 towards the redevelopment of Matthew Hall in Topsham and £2.5 million for a new sports hall at Teignmouth Community College.

A strategy to encourage better energy efficiency in homes and therefore provide savings for homeowners. Funding is also available to organisations to become more energy efficient and to save money on bills.

A £5 million capital investment into the local economy. The funds will be allocated over three years with £1.7 million proposed for Devon Employment Space Strategy, £1.4 million for Skypark, £700,000 towards ICT Strategy, £450,000 for Renewable Energy for Devon and £750,000 for community infrastructure in coastal towns.

Councillor Humphrey Temperley, Devon County Council Executive Member for Strategic Planning, Regional and International Affairs, says, "Local decision making on issues affecting our region becomes ever more important during times such as these and we believe that by carrying out these plans, we'll be targeting help towards those who really need it as well as boosting our local industries through financial help and support".

Notes to Editors

For the full report, 'From Recession to Recovery, a local dimension' go to www.pacec.co.uk