Legal Services
Devon County Council’s Legal Team offers maintained schools based in the Council’s administrative area who subscribe to our annual service access to a legal services e-mail helpline. The service provides schools with access to a team of lawyers who can provide general advice and assistance to schools with the type of discrete, ad hoc queries that arise on a day-to-day basis, including:
Land: matters connected with title deeds of school premises, including boundary disputes, trespass, encroachments, rights of way and easements across property.
Employment: the exercise by governors and headteachers of the delegated powers they are given by both statute and common law can give rise to a number of employment law issues.
Discipline: Matters connected with exclusion of pupils and other day-to-day issues regarding discipline faced by headteachers.
Civil Law: an almost infinite variety of problems can arise in schools generated by an increasingly litigious society such as claims by parents or their lawyers alleging negligence, quarrels between parents about access and dealing with unwanted visitors on school premises.
Advice is primarily provided via email (please submit queries to the dedicated email address legal.legalschools-mailbox@devon.gov.uk) although, in cases where very urgent advice is needed, advice can be given by telephone. In such circumstances, in the first instance please telephone Liz Pyle (Executive Personal Assistant) on 01392 382285, who will redirect your call to the most appropriate lawyer.
For the avoidance of doubt, advice is provided directly to the school. Corresponding with third parties on the school’s behalf goes beyond the scope of this helpline.
Should the Council need to incur disbursements to provide the above services, we will pass those costs to the school (with the school’s prior agreement before incurring any costs).
Please note that more complex legal issues that go beyond simply providing general advice, including for example cases involving litigation or land purchases or disposals, cannot be dealt with under the helpline. In the event that schools require a greater level of assistance, the legal team is happy to discuss options with you regarding such cases.
There is a fixed fee annual subscription charge to buy into this helpline service of £225 a year (1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023). In order to be able to offer this low fee, we have a single subscription entry point. Therefore, all maintained schools in the Devon County Council administrative area who wish to subscribe must do so before 1 April 2022. We regret that we are unable to accept new subscriptions part-way through the financial year.
For further information please contact legal.legalschools-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Media and PR
Media and PR provides a comprehensive service for schools – whatever their situation – from Devon County Council’s award-winning Press Office.
We’ve managed scores of Ofsted reports from outstanding judgements to schools being placed in special measures.
The team is also available for positive promotion, for example, students, teachers or staff taking part in newsworthy events and activities which enhance the standing of a school in its local community.
At a time of 24-hour news, can your school afford to be without the insurance of the media service?
From crisis management to positive promotion – it’s all covered by a single subscription payment – frozen for another year at £295 a year.
Contact the press office on 01392 382173 or email Mike Bomford at mike.bomford@devon.gov.uk.
Payment and Revenue Services Finance Service
Subscription service
Exchequer Services is pleased to offer schools a subscription-based service that provides comprehensive Revenue and Payment Services fully supported by staff with technical and professional expertise in delivering these financial functions.
We aim to provide a high level of service to our internal and external customers offering quality assurance to our clients. We are wholly committed to building strong relationships with our clients and take pride in our culture, our values and our responsible approach to business including your needs.
In Exchequer services, we recognise that finance as a function is dynamic and that its applications are being driven forward by rapid advances in technology. We aim to provide responsive services to our customer’s needs and aspirations whilst at the same time understanding the importance of security and compliance with regulations.
This balance is something that has been achieved successfully in the past. Our services have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with schools in the past and hope that we can continue to be able to offer you a high-quality service in the future. If you would like to discuss any aspect of our services to schools please do not hesitate to contact one of the service managers listed.
Your subscription provides
The Revenue and Payment Services Team offer the following:
Creditor payments
A prompt and accurate payment function incorporating the processing of client bills and charges to produce and despatch cheque and electronic payment services. These incorporate automatic VAT recovery and the production of returnable tax details. Information is managed within the SCRAPS system which links the data and accounting entries to the schools system.
Income and debt collection
We also offer schools a reliable and managed system of raising and collecting income together with debt recovery processes where appropriate. The service is available through an online invoice creation facility and is linked to the internal billing system. The invoice facility provides for VAT accounting to the standards required by HMRC.
In support of the functions offered above schools are able to seek advice and support from the Helpdesks staffed from within Revenue and Payment Services Team.
Subscription charge
Primary and special schools
Lump sum £112.28 pa per school
Unit cost per pupil £1.18
Secondary schools
Unit cost per pupil £2.16
Further information
If you require further information regarding our services please do not hesitate to contact the following who will be happy to help:
Revenue and Payment Services
Contact Bradley Hutton
Telephone 01392 382593
Email bradley.hutton@devon.gov.uk
Contact Sue Causon
Telephone 01392 383335
Email sue.causon@devon.gov.uk
Head of Exchequer, Charging for Care and Compliance
Contact Julian Partridge
Telephone 01392 383706
Email julian.partridge@devon.gov.uk
Client support – trade waste
We have provided contract management support to schools since 1988 and have a wealth of experience and knowledge. Our staff provide assistance with the contract management of trade waste services. The service we offer is by subscription.
Subscription services
Trade waste – access to advice and preferential charges.
Your subscription provides:
Subscribing schools have access to annually negotiated preferential rates, as well as not having to pay contractors for duty of care administration charges. In general, the savings to be made are in excess of our subscription charge.
The subscription also covers:
- advice on service options
- advice on the removal of special waste including ICT equipment
- access to advice on recycling
Subscription charge
A fixed charge of £115 per establishment.
Further information
Mark Sibley
Tel: 01392 383000 (ask for Mark Sibley)
Email: mark.sibley@devon.gov.uk
Devon Procurement Services, Room 120, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 4QD