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Jan 17, 2025 | 
exmouthjournal.co.uk | James Alexander McInnes
James McInnes, leader of Devon County Council (Image: Devon County Council) This is my first column of 2025, so can I wish you and yours a slightly belated happy and healthy New Year. January is always busy in local government, but this month has been particularly hectic. The start of a new year always heralds lots of meetings in the run-up to our February budget.
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Dec 5, 2024 | 
mediaweek.com.au | Mike Byrne |Anne Ngo |Matty Johns |James Alexander McInnes
Mediaweek’s Media Movers charts the biggest people moves in the industry over the past week. Paul “Fatty” Vautin is retiring from Channel 9, marking the end of a 33-year career at the network. Known for his wit, warmth, and passion for rugby league, Vautin leaves a legacy of countless live sports commentary and entertainment hostings that created unforgettable television moments.
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Dec 3, 2024 | 
exmouthjournal.co.uk | James Alexander McInnes
Unlike our French neighbours, Britain’s farmers generally get on quietly with cultivating their land and raising their animals. So many people were surprised at the force of feeling demonstrated in London when farmers protested about the death tax the Labour Government plans to impose on them. It was no surprise to those of us in rural communities.
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Nov 29, 2024 | 
torbayweekly.co.uk | James Alexander McInnes
I would like to return to housing this week and what Devon County Council is doing to help ease our housing crisis. And I have some good news in that respect. We're not a housing authority—that's the responsibility of the individual district councils—but we do work closely with them on both strategic policy and specific projects. Our new devolution deal with Torbay Council also has housing, and particularly affordable housing, as one of its key initiatives.
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Nov 19, 2024 | 
exmouthjournal.co.uk | James Alexander McInnes
James Mcinnes, leader of Devon County Council. (Image: Devon County Council.) I would like to return to housing this week and what Devon County Council is doing to help ease our housing crisis. And I have some good news in that respect. We're not a housing authority—that's the responsibility of the individual district councils—but we do work closely with them on both strategic policy and specific projects.
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Nov 18, 2024 | 
torbayweekly.co.uk | James Alexander McInnes
You may have seen news reports about the very stark conclusions of the independent National Audit Office into the care and support of our most vulnerable children. The report concluded that the current system to support children with special needs and disabilities, known as SEND, is not achieving value for money and is unsustainable. The report echoes on a national scale what we have been saying to successive governments about the position in Devon.
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Nov 5, 2024 | 
exmouthjournal.co.uk | James Alexander McInnes
John Mcinnes, leader of Devon County Council. (Image: Devon County Council.) You may have seen news reports about the very stark conclusions of the independent National Audit Office into the care and support of our most vulnerable children. The report concluded that the current system to support children with special needs and disabilities, known as SEND, is not achieving value for money and is unsustainable.
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Oct 22, 2024 | 
exmouthjournal.co.uk | James Alexander McInnes
Councillor James McInnes (Image: Devon County Council) You may think that those of us in local government are always complaining that we're strapped for cash. I'm afraid that is the reality for almost all of us in the public services. Next year, however, there is the prospect of a financial bonus when the new 200 per cent band for second homes comes into force. This was a measure brought in by the last Government and a number of district councils in Devon have taken advantage.
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Oct 17, 2024 | 
torbayweekly.co.uk | James Alexander McInnes
This year marks the centenary of Devon's library service. It was launched in 1924 as the Devon County Library Service and, in the language of the time, had the aim of providing a single countywide service for all residents "no matter their background". I'm not sure that today we would comment on people's backgrounds but we are still very proud that our libraries are open and available to everyone.
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Oct 6, 2024 | 
torbayweekly.co.uk | James Alexander McInnes
Earlier this year - due to the prudent budget management of my predecessor John Hart and our Cabinet finance member Phil Twiss - we were able to find an extra £10 million capital money to put into road repairs along with another £2 million from our revenue account. I can imagine some people greeting that announcement with some cynicism and wondering if the situation on our roads would improve. Now I would be extremely foolish to suggest that we haven't still got a long way to go.
