Report from Cllr Lynn Daniel – West Devon Borough Council – Apr 2022

West Devon Borough Council 2022
April Report

Ukrainian Refugees

As the crisis in Ukraine continues to rage, West Devon Borough Council has stepped up to assist refugees arriving through the Government scheme. The immediate focus is undertaking the checks on homes and housing and WDBC Environmental Health teams are carrying out these checks. WDBC has employed an extra staff member to take responsibility for accommodation funding and the necessary checks for hosts. We thank everyone across the borough who has offered a home to a refugee by registering with the government website. It is expected that more refugees will be arriving soon.

Citizens Advice

WDBC had our annual presentation from CA recently. WD support CA with a grant and it was interesting to hear how important the work of the CA is for many local residents, in these times of financial hardship. Unfortunately, the pandemic has meant the loss of many CA volunteers and CA is only able to deal with 45% of those that ask for help. They have put a call out for more volunteers, extensive training support is given as well as expenses incurred. Most work is online now for safety so in-person contact is minimised. Anyone who wants to volunteer can contact on

Broadband news

WDBC are interested in hearing from anyone who wants to improve their broadband signal. There are currently 2 options open for residents in our ward. Jurassic Fibre as a totally commercial scheme or Airband using vouchers providing enough households are involved.

Jurassic Fibre have confirmed that within the next few weeks they will have surveyors in the area confirming their fibre plans, with the intention of build starting in late summer. If they keep to this schedule it means pursuing a voucher led project with Airband will be not required. The Airband scheme using vouchers would need nearly 200 households to make it viable and few households have expressed interest.

Jurassic are still keen to work with the community to ensure their plans include everyone who is looking for better broadband, but they are expanding into this area on a commercial basis and so not looking to secure vouchers.

Cllr Lynn Daniel April 2022