Recovering and rebuilding quickly and inclusively
During the year ahead we will continue to tackle the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and address the challenges affecting individuals, families and local businesses across Devon. These are being compounded by fuel and food inflation and the cost-of-living crisis. The Council and its partners have a lot of work to do to help people recover and rebuild quickly and inclusively. We will be putting families at the heart of everything we do and working towards our ambition as a whole council to be Child Friendly Devon.
Our annual plan…

Tackling the longer-term impacts of Covid-19 will continue to be a priority for us, and for Team Devon. Looking ahead over the next twelve months we are facing global and local uncertainties about the economy, the cost of living and the affordability & availability of housing… Over the coming year we will be focussing on what we need to do for people of Devon and help everyone through the challenges ahead.
John Hart, Leader of Devon County Council
Our key areas of focus…
Making a child friendly Devon
Helping children and young people to bounce back and access opportunities to do well
To help and support our children and young people to bounce back after the pandemic with more young people able to access opportunities to do well and fulfil their potential
Tackling poverty and inequality
Helping people and families struggling to cope
To give extra help and support to vulnerable people and families disproportionately affected by the pandemic or struggling to cope with poverty, inequality and the emerging cost-of-living crisis
Supporting recovery and growth
Helping businesses and our economy to recover
To support Devon’s businesses to survive and recover and help to drive local economic opportunities that benefit everyone and generate inclusive and sustainable growth
Supporting people and communities
Helping our communities respond to local challenges
To help our local communities to build on their excellent Covid response and continue to respond to local challenges including welcoming refugees from Ukraine and other places
Improving health and wellbeing
Creating a more sustainable and resilient care sector
To help create a more sustainable and resilient care sector in support of vulnerable adults as a key part of our local health system
Making Devon greener
Prioritising sustainable travel, transport and energy efficiency
To prioritise sustainable travel and transport, and help people adapt to climate change by supporting the transition to low emission vehicles and helping low-income homeowners to improve energy efficiency
Whilst this sets out of our key areas of focus on during 2022/23, a wide range of other activity has been identified in support of our strategic plan priorities that we will progress during the year.
Other major issues and challenges are also likely to arise during the year. Our plan aims to be a dynamic one and so will be updated during the year as necessary.
How we will work targets:
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Protecting children
To improve how we protect children at risk and support families of children with additional needs
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Reset how we work
To take the opportunity to reset the way the Council works to be more inclusive, effective and innovative
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Embrace diversity
To embrace our diverse workforce and ensure an inclusive and safe environment for all
Are you in?
Tell us what you think about our annual plan...
Select a key area that you would like to send feedback on:
- Helping children and young access opportunities, to do well and fulfil their potential
- Help and support for vulnerable people and families
- Devon’s businesses to survive and our economy to recover
- Supporting our local communities to respond to local challenges
- Creating a more sustainable and resilient care sector
- Prioritising sustainable, low emission travel, transport and energy efficiency
- How we will work targets