Introduction and Background

Focus on Devon's Future

Devon matters to all of us and this is why we are refreshing the County Council’s strategic plan following the election in May 2005. The result of the election brought a Liberal Democrat Administration to office and, as a result, I have the privilege to lead Devon County Council.

Focus on Devon’s Future takes forward the policies we set out at the election and it reflects the results of our wide scale “Our Devon” consultation exercise. Thank you to all who took part. Our refreshed strategic plan will be all the better for your input.

It matters to all of us that our services address the needs of the people of Devon and are delivered in an efficient and cost effective way. It matters to all of us that we build a stronger economy, enhance and protect our outstanding environment and celebrate our rich culture.

There are 62 Devon Councillors elected to give democratic leadership to an organisation which employs 17,000 full time employees who deliver services in a highly professional and dedicated way. We work with many partners in the public, voluntary and private sectors to improve the quality of life for the people of Devon.

Focus on Devon’s Future sets out our priorities; how we intend to deliver them; and how our performance will be measured. The role of the County Council’s Scrutiny Committees will be most important in assessing our performance and making sure we make good progress.

Throughout our plan we underline our commitment to making Devon England’s greenest county and set out the action we will take to achieve this.

We start from a strong position as a local authority with a consistently high level of performance. Focus on Devon’s Future will help us to continue to be an effective and improving County Council for the people of Devon.

Devon and its County Council matters to all of us!

Brian Greenslade
Leader of Devon County Council

Our Devon – a county to be proud of

Glorious Devon – it simply takes your breath away. Little wonder it is the nation’s favourite county – no other enjoys such a treasury of wonders.

Over a third of the Devon landscape is subject to special protection including the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, the North Devon International Biosphere Reserve, Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks and 5 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

In the Celtic tongue, Devon means “the people of the land” and perhaps it is this inspirational landscape which has produced generations of artists, poets, inventors and adventurers.

Devon today is attracting world-class investment from the Met Office to top flight pharmaceutical, engineering, IT and communications companies – and we’re just an hour’s flight from Paris and worldwide connections.

We’re proud of our past and together we’re building an even brighter future.

We are working with the people of Devon and our partner organisations towards our vision of Devon as:

“a county with safe, healthy and inclusive communities, a strong and diverse economy and a cherished environment”

Achieving this vision is about responding to challenges which threaten the positive aspects of life in Devon and seizing opportunities to make Devon an even better place to live. A number of key issues have informed the priorities in this plan:

Devon is growing fast

The population has been rising at an average rate of 4,900 per year over the last 10 years – more than double the national average – and is expected to keep rising at this rate over the next 15 years.

Devon is getter older

Devon people are healthier and living longer –there will be a 40% rise in the 85+ population over the next 20 years. The cost of providing social care for someone over the age of 85 is double that of someone aged 75 to 85.

Young people on the move

The falling birth rate means fewer children in Devon’s primary schools - and limited job prospects and high house prices mean more of the county’s young people are leaving Devon to live and work elsewhere.

The changing face of Devon

Devon’s black and minority ethnic population has doubled over the last 10 years and is likely to triple over the next 10 years. Although most people in Devon enjoy a good quality of life, a significant minority experience social exclusion as a result of prejudice, discrimination, poverty and other factors.

Devon’s climate is changing

Over the past 30 years the average temperature in Devon has risen by 1%. In addition, our winters have been getting wetter and our summers drier. Together with the rising sea level, we can expect these trends to continue putting Devon’s outstanding environment under increasing pressure for the foreseeable future. 97% of Devon people think the County Council should do more to protect the environment.

The County Council in your community

Devon County Council has been a champion for Devon for over 116 years. Born of a great reforming movement, the County Council brought real local democracy to many people and communities for the first time. Women were voting in county elections over 20 years before they won the right in general elections. Today, that mission to lead, responding to the needs of all people and communities, rooting out inequality and working together for the good of Devon still drives everything we do.

We serve over 700,000 people in Devon’s towns and villages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We ensure the provision of important local services such as schools, social services, youth services, libraries, roads, public rights of way and countryside facilities, public transport, street lighting, trading standards, consumer advice, registration of births, deaths and marriages, disposal and recycling of waste.

As a planner and regulator, our role is to protect the wellbeing of Devon and our communities. For example, we are responsible for protecting children from harm and abuse; protecting our citizens from falling victim to rogue traders; dealing with emergency situations; and protecting Devon’s environment.

As a democratically elected body and community leader, we act as the champion and spokesperson for Devon and its people. We seek to listen to our communities and take action on their behalf to make Devon a better place to live for everyone. Issues we have tackled in recent years include taking action in response to the threat of climate change; dealing with the consequences of the foot and mouth crisis; supporting the provision of affordable homes for local people; supporting the local economy; attracting new jobs in Devon; challenging post office closures; campaigning for the reform of council tax; and securing external funding for disadvantaged parts of the county. The 62 County Councillors elected by the people of Devon are active in their local community responding to the needs of their electors and acting on their behalf to address important local issues.

The County Council’s role is to improve quality of life, invest in the future, and manage change for the benefit of Devon’s people. We believe the people of Devon deserve high quality public services. Wherever possible and affordable we will improve the quality and effectiveness of the services we provide and commission, whether or not they are specifically referred to as priorities in our strategic plan.

To return to the Strategic Plan homepage please select the logo

Find out more

For more information on our strategic plan please contact us at:

Information Centre
County Hall
Topsham Road
Exeter EX2 4QD

https://www.devon.gov.uk/text/index/contact_us/form-contactus-corporate.htm" title="Contact form">Enquiry form

01392 383444

01392 251411