WDBC January 2026 report
Community Arts & Activities Fund
| Communities Arts & activities Fund If groups in our area need funding you will be interested to learn that we’ve started our second round of Community Arts and Activities Fund grants. Eligible activities might be a new gardening yoga or theatre group. Message for community groups: If your community need funding for arts and culture or activities, then apply for our Community Arts and Activities Fund today. Apply before midnight on Sunday 1 March. Find out more: www.westdevon.gov.uk/arts-activity-fund West Devon Mayoral Awards Nominate West Devon’s unsung heroes for making valuable contributions to their communities in the 2026 West Devon Mayoral Awards. Messages for residents: Nominations are now open for the awards, which celebrate outstanding people deserving of public recognition for their unpaid work or contributions to their community in the borough. We want to hear from you about the individuals, groups and organisations making a difference where you live. There are four categories this year: The Under 18s Award The Over 18s / Organisation Award The Green Award The Mayor’s Award for Long Service The winners will receive their awards at a ceremony on 24 March at the Council’s offices at Kilworthy Park, in Tavistock. If you know someone who you think is deserving of an award, you can complete a nomination form online, giving us details of why you have nominated them. Nominations close on Friday 20 February. Find out more and nominate here: www.westdevon.gov.uk/mayoral-awards Shape the future of Devon’s libraries Devon County Council (DCC) is asking residents to help shape the future of the county’s 50 libraries. It’s running a consultation until Sunday 22 February 2026 to find out what residents think about proposals to change opening hours in libraries across the county. Financial pressures mean DCC must now look at how services are delivered and have come up with a number of options including opening hours, the use of technology, and the potential for community-managed libraries. Libraries are more than just a place to lend books – they now offer a wide range of services and are key community hubs offering warm spaces for residents as well as activities for all ages. Message for Residents: Please read the information about the changes being proposed before you complete the consultation. Have your say on Devon County Council’s proposals before 22 February. Young people can complete the survey for young people. Printed copies of the survey are also available in all libraries and Devon County Council reception areas (County Hall in Exeter, Taw View in Barnstaple and Follaton House in Totnes). Please help share information of this consultation in your communities. Bottle bank and recycling bank removal The bottle and bring banks across West Devon are due to be removed in the coming months as part of our ongoing waste and recycling service improvement programme. Many of these banks are either in poor condition, or have very low usage. All residents can present these materials through their kerbside recycling collections. Recycling can also be taken to household recycling centres in Tavistock or Okehampton. Stickers will be placed on the affected banks over the coming week to inform residents that they will be removed in the following month. Cllr Lynn Daniel January 2026 |