Devon County Council (DCC) Annual Report 2024

Hatherleigh & Chagford Division Annual Report March 2024

It’s been another difficult year. I don’t think we can underestimate the long-term effects of the Covid pandemic. On the brighter side it is just over a year since our new Chief Executive Donna Manson arrived. She has already made a big difference with her energy and no-nonsense approach, working closely with partners and calling it out when we need to find solutions to how we work together.

Devon County Council Budget 2024/25

It has been very challenging putting the budget together. Although the overall budget is going up 6.3% to £743,382 million, there are savings of £49,598 million. We are in a more stable condition than last year, which is encouraging. Work to modernise the Council continues, and this is crucial to make us sustainable for the long term. We have had to raise Council Tax 2.99% with a 2% supplement for Adult Social Care, making the rise 4.99%. Not what we wanted to do, but there were no other options.

Below is a high-level table explaining the Budget: –

Integrated Adult Social Care

The number of residents being helped in a twelve-month period is just over 20,000. This is from 18 years old, and roughly half the budget goes to working age adults. Adult Social Care is now subject to a Care Quality Commission inspection, and we have been preparing for this for some time. We had a Local Government Peer Review in 2023 which was mostly positive and helpful in highlighting areas for improvement. Providers in Devon, Care Homes and Domiciliary Care are mostly good or outstanding, which is higher than the national average. You will see from the budget table, there is a 6% increase in the 2024/25 budget to £360,746 million, with a challenging savings target.

The workforce continues to be an issue of concern. Working in Adult Social Care is very rewarding. The sector has been successful in international recruitment which has eased the pressure in Domiciliary Care. But we need more local employees in Adult Social Care in the longer term.

Children and Young People’s Futures

Improvements are continuing in Children’s Services with regular visits form Ofsted. The number of children in care has come down a bit to 884 from a peak of just over 900. We now have a stable leadership team which is making a difference. We will be having a full Ofsted inspection later in the year.

Special Educational Needs continues to be challenging for everyone. We now have a Cabinet Member dedicated to SEND, working with officers, schools, and the Department for Education, to address parents’ concerns. The multimillion pound overspend in SEND can’t continue and there is intensive work going on. This is a National issue and DoE is working with DCC on a long-term package to bring costs back into balance and pay off the debt accumulated.

Highways

The roads are showing the effects of 10 years of austerity and climate change. I do not have a magic answer. The County Council has a legal duty to repair potholes and it is important they are reported. www.devon.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/report-a-problem/report-a-pothole/ Not enough funding is coming from government for road repairs. We recently received an extra £6.6 million this financial year and we will receive £6.6 million in the 2024/25, while welcome, it is just a fraction of what is needed. We are also investigating the tarmac formula, as it does not last like it used to. With climate change, longer periods of heavy rain and increased temperatures, especially in the summer, we need a more durable tarmac. The 2024/25 budget is investing an additional £1.5 million in road drainage.

Devolution Deal

Devon and Torbay have spent many months negotiating a Devolution Deal with Central Government. It is not a change in the local democratic structures. Plymouth were originally involved but decided not to be included. A consultation is under way and will finish on the 24^th of March 2024.A decision will come to Devon and Torbay Members at the end of April 2024. Below are some frequently asked questions and answers.

What is Devolution?

Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from central government to local government. It enables decisions to be made closer to the local people, communities, and businesses they affect. This means more effective, better targeted public services, greater growth and stronger partnerships between public, private and community leaders in local areas. Devolution deals now cover 60% of the English population.

What is a Devolution Deal?

A devolution deal is an agreement between Government and a group of councils. Deals cover issues such as transport, housing, skills, and support for business. Since November 2023 the Government has had four levels of devolution, each with different powers and functions. The devolution deal for Devon and Torbay is a level 2 deal which does not require an elected Mayor.

The types of powers and functions available at each of the four levels are available on the Government’s devolution framework page.

Who is proposing the Devolution Deal?

Devon County Council and Torbay Council have been working with Government on the details since 2022. The Secretary of State for Levelling Up and Council Leaders agreed the proposed devolution deal for Devon and Torbay on 25 January 2024.

The Councils are now consulting of the draft proposal to establish the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (DT CCA). The Devon and Torbay CCA would be responsible for delivery, implementation and oversight of the deal. If approved, the CCA would be established through secondary legislation introduced by Government.

What is a Combined County Authority?

A Combined County Authority is a legal body that enables a group of two or more upper tier councils (i.e. county or unitary councils) to collaborate and take collective decisions across council boundaries but only on those new powers devolved from Whitehall and strategic co-ordination of transport.

Local elected councillors will work together across council boundaries as the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority to deliver lasting improvements on the things that matter to local people, using the new powers and additional funding from Government to tackle priorities such housing, public transport, jobs, training, and skills.

Which Councils will be on the Combined County Authority?

The two upper tier councils that would be part of the Combined County Authority are Devon County Council and Torbay Council. They will be the constituent members of the authority and responsible for all reserved matters such as the CCA’s budget, strategic and policy framework, and strategic transport policy. Devon’s district councils would also have a voice on the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority along with the business and education sectors, and the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Will this mean the end of Team Devon?

No. A Team Devon Joint Committee will be established to bring the County, District Councils, National Park Authorities and the Devon Association of Local Councils together. This will give the Committee a voice and establish a collective Team Devon position in the CCA. Costs will be offset by the winding up of the Heart of the South West Joint Committee.

Will it mean a rise in Council Tax?

It will not mean a rise in Council Tax. There is no option to add the cost of the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority onto Council Tax bills. Funding has been secured as part of the proposed deal to meet the additional costs of the new arrangements.

Is the Combined County Authority a “super council” controlling all of Devon and Torbay?

No. If the devolution deal goes ahead, local councils in Devon and Torbay will continue to exist and have the same responsibilities as they do now. No local authority functions are being removed from any local authority in the area, other than the strategic transport functions of the County Council and Torbay Council with their agreement. The current legal, tax-raising and public service responsibilities of individual councils will remain with those councils.

Will Devon and Torbay have to have an elected Mayor?

No. The proposed devolution deal does not require the election of a Mayor for Devon and Torbay or any changes to the current structure of local councils.

Will the Combined County Authority employ staff?

Although the CCA will require some specialist staff, the authority will, as far as possible, make best use of existing council capacity and expertise to ensure running costs are minimised.

Who will pay for setting up the Combined County Authority?

The Government is offering £1 million to fund the set-up costs of our proposed CCA. The costs will also be off-set by savings from the winding-up the Heart of the South West LEP whose functions (as they relate to Devon and Torbay) will be incorporated into the proposed new authority.

Climate Emergency

The Devon Climate Emergency work continues in a wide partnership.

See link below for latest information: –

devonclimateemergencyorg.uk

Dartmoor National Park

I continue to be a Member of Dartmoor National Park. Like all Local Authorities DNPA is suffering severe financial challenges. The Fursdon Report into the Protected Site Management on Dartmoor was published in December 2023. This is an important report for farmers and landowners on Dartmoor.

Independent review of protected site management on Dartmoor

Tensions between farmers and Natural England had spilled over. This report has given an important voice to farmers. Government is reviewing the report and we await what changes will come from the report.

We have a new Director of Spatial Planning, Dean Kinsella.

Integrated Care System

The ICS came into existence in July 2022. It covers the Local Authority areas of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. It is now the duty of NHS Trusts and providers to work together, across the system. A closer relationship with local government is also important. This change is welcome, but it will take time to change culture. It is the only way to work going forward, using finances available to best effect for patients.

NHS Devon has severe financial challenges and high demand for its services.

The Integrated Care Board is Chaired by Sarah Wollaston and the ICS has a new Chief Executive Steve Moore. I Chair the One Devon Integrated Care Partnership, whose duty is to put together the Integrated Care Strategy for the ICS.

Locality Budget

The Locality Budget will be available again from May 2024. Its not a lot of money but important seed corn for community projects. I have supported many projects over the years.

Cllr James McInnes

Hatherleigh & Chagford Division
Deputy Leader of DCC
Cabinet Member for Integrated Adult Social Care

Tel 01837 748305