From Mike Bomford, Exeter 382173, June 30, 2008

The blueprint that describes how public services across Devon are set to improve over the next three years has been signed off by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Hazel Blears MP today.

Public sector authorities - partners of Devon's Strategic Partnership (see Note to Editors) - working closely with the private, community and voluntary sectors, will now get on with the business of meeting the 38 all-encompassing targets; a key priority being to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 6% per person in Devon.

Over the next three years, it is estimated that 37,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide will be saved by:

• Implementing carbon management programmes by many of the lead authorities across Devon.
• Devon's businesses using fuel, energy and water more efficiently, and reducing waste.
• Reducing home energy use, and using energy more efficiently through cavity wall and loft insulation.
• Developing the renewable energy sector.

One of the initiatives that will assist in reaching this target will be the Devon Warm Zones project, which will target households who could benefit from home insulation, either free or at a heavily subsidised cost.

The project will offer help particularly to older people, families with young children and households on benefits by referring to energy efficiency schemes funded either by district councils or the Government's Warmfront scheme.

The project will target 51,000 households. It aims to remove 10% of the estimated 60,000 households in Devon in fuel poverty - households where more than 10% of total income is spent on heating the home to a safe and comfortable level. And it aims to 'fuel poverty proof' a further 15,000 households by increasing the energy efficiency with their homes.

On renewable energies, the agreement made today will be a boost for renewable energy businesses in Devon, helping them to compete regionally and nationally and innovate.

Other targets identified within the three year agreement, signed up to by Devon authorities and agreed by the Government, include:

Waste - local authorities, the Environment Agency and local communities will work together to continue to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. The aim is that by 2011, just 46% of municipal waste will be going to landfill.

Economy - partner authorities will work to improve the economy in deprived areas of the county.

Housing - local authorities, the Housing Corporation, developers and registered social landlords will increase the number of affordable homes, particularly in rural areas.

Children and Young People - Devon's Children's Trust will improve the rate of progress and raise the levels of achievement of the lowest attaining 20% and the most vulnerable children and young people.

Community safety - Devon and Cornwall Police, local authorities and their partners will reduce crime and tackle anti-social behaviour.

Health and social care - Devon County Council, Devon Primary Care Trust and other partners will continue working together to improve the lives of older people.

The targets of the Local Area Agreement (LAA) reflect both national and local priorities, and Devon County Council and other members of the Devon Strategic Partnership will be responsible for ensuring progress.

Sally Foxhall, Chairman of the Devon Strategic Partnership said,

"I am delighted that the agreement has been concluded. It provides the focus for the work of the Partnership over the next three years. We will be working together to improve the lives of the people of Devon and making sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to make the most of living in this wonderful county."

Devon County Council's Leader, Brian Greenslade, said:

"Devon County Council and its partners have worked hard to ensure that this important agreement with central government is right for Devon.

"We have set ambitious targets for the next three years and will be working hard with all of our partners to make sure that we achieve them."

Devon Strategic Partnership will also be publishing a new Devon Sustainable Community Strategy which sets out the longer term priorities and outcomes for Devon for the next decade.

For more information about Devon's Local Area Agreement and Sustainable Community Strategy is available on the Devon Strategic Partnership's website, www.devonsp.org.uk

NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS

Members of the Devon Strategic Partnership include:

South west Regional Development Agency

Government Office for the South West

Devon County Council

Teignbridge District Council

South Hams District Council

West Devon Borough Council

Torridge District Council

North Devon Council

Mid Devon District Council

Exeter City Council

East Devon District Council

Dartmoor National Park Authority

Devon Primary Care Trust

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary

Environment Agency

Natural England

Learning and Skills Council

Devon Association of CVS

Community Council of Devon

Diocesan House

Devon and Cornwall Business Council

MIDAS Group