Devon County Council’s SEND Operations team has launched its new communication and relationship standard. The standard sets clear expectations for how the service communicates with children, young people and their families, and will be implemented across day‑to‑day practice from April.
The standard aims to make the service’s commitment to families more transparent, offering a more predictable experience through early contact, timely responses and clear, accessible information during Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessments and plan amendments. This includes making an initial contact to understand family views, responding within five working days, providing short written summaries after conversations and keeping families updated if staff changes occur.
As part of the launch, teams spent the day exploring how to make communication clearer, calmer and easier to follow. They revisited the Four Cornerstones – Welcome and Care; Value and Include; Communicate; Work in Partnership – and discussed how these principles should shape every interaction with families.
Parent Carer Partners attended the event and supported discussions on the real‑life experiences of families, helping ensure the standard reflects what matters most to them.
Claire Merchant‑Jones, Head of SEND Operations at Devon County Council, said: “Families have been clear about what helps: being heard, timely updates, clear next steps and respectful conversations. This new standard brings those expectations together so that, from April, our communication is more consistent and easier to navigate for everyone.”
Councillor Denise Bickley, Cabinet Member for SEND, said: “It was inspiring to be part of today’s session and to see so much honest, thoughtful work going into improving communication with families. The new standard sets out a clear commitment to children, young people and parents about what they can expect from us, and it reflects the values we want to see across SEND in Devon. I’m particularly pleased to see Parent Carer Partners fully involved in shaping this work, ensuring the voices of families sit at the heart of how we move forward. It is clear that there is an absolute desire within the team for a system reset, a culture change, and a need for transparent and honest communication.”
Families can continue to share their experiences through the Four Cornerstones survey to help monitor impact and guide further improvements.
We have been shortlisted for two categories at the 2026 MJ Awards, the national awards programme recognising excellence across local government.
The council has been named a finalist for Finance Team of the Year and for its People and Culture team’s achievements in Workforce Optimisation in Children’s Services. Winners will be announced at the ceremony in London on Friday 19 June.
We have been shortlisted for our work following two years of focused action to stabilise and strengthen our social care teams.
A new People Strategy and tailored recruitment and retention plan sharply reduced reliance on temporary staff and created a sustainable pipeline of permanent social workers.
Improvements in leadership, induction, supervision and wellbeing have contributed to more consistent practice and better experiences for children and families.
The nomination for Finance Team of the Year reflects a far‑reaching transformation of our financial management, driven by the replacement of our 30‑year‑old finance system.
Delivered in just 18 months, the upgrade became the foundation for wider organisational change – strengthening governance, improving data transparency and reshaping our approach to financial stewardship.
The finance and public value team redesigned our chart of accounts, simplified financial structures and introduced new digital workspaces to give budget holders clearer, faster access to financial information.
A disciplined “adopt not adapt” approach ensured processes were modernised to reflect best practice. Collaboration was central to the programme’s success, with finance staff working closely alongside ICT and service teams across the organisation.
Despite major in‑year financial pressures, strengthened planning and interventions helped us close the year in balance and deliver our accounts on time with a clean audit opinion.
Councillor Julian Brazil, Leader of Devon County Council, said: “These shortlists reflect the relentless work of our teams to strengthen services for residents – improving the foundations of how we manage public money and putting children at the heart of our priorities.”
Councillor James Buczkowski, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “Public finance is about trust: trust in the numbers, trust in the advice, and trust that decisions serve communities’ long‑term interests. This team has shown that finance is a leadership discipline – investing in stronger systems, better information and honest conversations that protect services and rebuild confidence.”
Chief Executive Donna Manson added: “This recognition is a real milestone in our improvement journey. It reflects the commitment, resilience and professionalism of our staff across the organisation. We have asked a great deal of our teams as we’ve modernised systems, strengthened practice and built a more stable workforce, and they have consistently stepped up. Being shortlisted for these awards shows how far we have come – and reinforces our determination to keep improving for the people of Devon.”
School pupils swapped the classroom for muddy boots and spades as they joined naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham for a hands-on rewilding project, helping plant hundreds of trees aimed at restoring wildlife habitats.
Thirteen pupils from East Allington Primary School, part of Education South West, travelled to a rewilding site near Launceston during the half-term break. They were accompanied by their class teacher Lisa Howells.
The visit took place at a 50-acre site at Downicary, which has been purchased by Eco Talk, a mobile service provider that reinvests its profits into rewilding initiatives and biodiversity enhancement projects across the UK.
Downicary is one of several locations where Eco Talk is working to restore habitats and create new opportunities for wildlife to thrive.
The pupils were welcomed by Chris Packham before taking part in an educational session delivered by the Woodland Trust.
Chris Packham joins pupils at East Alington Primary SchoolChris Packham joins pupils at East Alington Primary SchoolChris Packham joins pupils at East Alington Primary SchoolChris Packham joins pupils at East Alington Primary School
Armed with new knowledge and plenty of enthusiasm, the children then began planting alder, aspen and willow trees in the wet ground near the riverbank.
Over time, the trees are expected to establish wet meadow and riverside habitats, providing shelter and food for insects, birds and other wildlife.
Projects such as this aim to help address England’s status as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world by restoring biodiversity and supporting greener landscapes.
The pupils were praised for their hard work and positive attitude, impressing Woodland Trust staff and even appearing on BBC television during the event.
In total, around 200 trees were planted during the day.
Liam Fielding, executive headteacher at East Allington Primary School, said: “This was a truly memorable experience for our pupils.
“Working alongside Chris Packham and the Woodland Trust team brought classroom learning to life and empowered our children to see that they can make a real difference to the natural world.”
Matthew Shanks, chief executive officer of Education South West, said: “We are incredibly proud of the pupils from East Allington Primary for the way they embraced this opportunity.
“Experiences like this connect children with the natural world and give them the knowledge and sense of responsibility to shape a more sustainable future.
“Working alongside Chris Packham and national partners demonstrates the power of collaboration in inspiring the next generation to care for and protect our environment.”
A city centre convenience store is seeking permission to sell alcohol for home delivery throughout the early hours of the morning – a move that has prompted objections from councillors and environmental health officers over concerns about crime, public safety and the impact on children.
Members of Exeter City Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee are due to consider an application by Newham Stores (Exeter) Ltd to vary the premises licence for Newham Stores, 12-13 South Street, Exeter, at a hearing at the Guildhall.
The store currently holds a premises licence permitting the supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises from 6am to 2am, Monday to Sunday, with late night refreshment indoors from 11pm to 5am.
The proposed variation would allow the supply of alcohol for the full 24-hours the story is open.
The report states that the applicant “seeks to add the licensing activity of the sale of alcohol during the hours of 2am and 6am by home delivery only, operating through a third-party service provider.” This would be in addition to alcohol sales already permitted under the existing licence.
The premises has been operated by the applicant since September 2014 and is situated within the Cumulative Impact Zone, where there is a rebuttable presumption that applications likely to add to the existing cumulative impact will normally be refused or subject to limitations unless the applicant can demonstrate there will be no negative cumulative impact on the licensing objectives.
The operating schedule refers to conditions in the existing licence. The report notes that the applicant “has agreed to conditions set out in the representation made by the Environmental Health & Community Safety Manager of Exeter City Council” and has “confirmed there is no intention to restrict the sale of alcohol to orders containing groceries.”
Two city councillors have submitted representations objecting to the variation, citing concerns in relation to the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.
In one representation, a councillor wrote that extending off-sales between 2am and 6am is “likely to undermine the following Exeter City Council licensing objectives” and argued that the proposal would create “significant and predictable risks to community safety, particularly for women and children, and increases the likelihood of alcohol-related domestic abuse and night-time disorder.”
The representation adds: “We therefore request refusal of the application in full.”
A further objection has been received from the Environmental Health & Community Safety Manager. In the representation form, under the objective of protecting children from harm, it states: “The applicant has not stated how online sales will be controlled and has offered no further conditions in relation to online delivery services with accompanying alcohol sales. This raises concern that children may have access to these online sales and therefore suitable conditions are required to protect children from harm.”
Suggested additional conditions include that alcohol can only be delivered to a residential or business address and not to a public place, that full address details must be provided when placing an online order, and that delivery drivers request recognised photographic identification where the recipient appears under 25.
The story of a pub often begins with a building. In the case of The Hunters Inn, it began with a walk.
When Mark Walton set out to walk the entire South West Coast Path in 2008, he passed hundreds of places to eat and drink along the way. Only one stayed firmly in his mind. Years later, that memory would shape the next chapter of his life.
“The Hunters Inn always stood out to me as one of the most iconic pubs along the route,” Mark says.
Today, he and his wife Debs Walton run that very pub, a striking old inn tucked deep in the Heddon Valley on Exmoor in North Devon. The couple took over the business in May 2025, stepping into a new venture that felt both inevitable and slightly surreal. Their daughter, Heather Paddon, describes the moment the opportunity appeared as something that felt almost pre-written.
“When Mum and Dad were on holiday thinking about their next move, as their lease at the Queen Victoria Inn was coming to an end, they saw The Hunters was available,” Heather explains. “It felt a bit like fate really.”
The Hunters Inn, Exmoor
For Mark, the decision was rooted in a lifetime spent in pubs. Hospitality is not simply a job for him; it is the thread that has run through his entire working life.
“Running pubs has really been my life,” Mark says. “I’ve been a licensee for over 40 years, owning, running and managing pubs all around Somerset. It’s what we know and what we love doing.”
His route into the trade was equally straightforward. After leaving school, Mark went straight into the kitchen.
“I started out cheffing straight after leaving school and I’ve been in pubs ever since,” he says.
Debs arrived in hospitality from a slightly different direction. Before pubs, her career was far removed from pints and Sunday roasts.
“I was originally a beautician by trade,” Debs explains. “But since moving to the West Country I’ve always worked in hospitality. That’s actually where Mark and I met.”
The Hunters Inn, Exmoor
Working with people quickly became the part of the job she enjoyed most.
“I’ve always loved working with people,” she says. “And it’s a bit in the blood as well because my parents were publicans for a time too, so the pub world has always been familiar.”
Even with decades of experience between them, taking on The Hunters Inn was not simply another pub move. The setting alone makes it different. The building sits in one of North Devon’s most striking valleys, surrounded by steep wooded slopes and crossed by the East Lyn River, with the South West Coast Path running close by.
For Mark, the connection was already there.
“Because of my walk along the Coast Path, The Hunters has always held a special place for me,” he says. “It’s such an iconic building in one of the most beautiful valleys in North Devon, and when we realised it was available it just felt like the right opportunity at the right time.”
Yet romantic ideas about a dream pub in a beautiful valley met reality very quickly.
When they took over in May, stepping into a business that required immediate attention. There was little time to ease into things.
“If we’re honest – chaotic,” Debs says, remembering those early weeks. “We didn’t quite know what we were walking into.”
The transition from previous tenants had not come with the kind of detailed handover that many new operators hope for.
“It was very much a cold start with not a huge amount of handover information,” Debs explains. “So we were starting from scratch in many ways.”
Still, there was a positive side to that blank slate.
“It also gave us the chance to begin fresh and start putting our own stamp on the place,” she adds.
What they could not fully anticipate was the scale of disruption that would arrive almost immediately.
When they took over the inn, a road closure was already in place due to bridge works nearby. On paper, it was simply a logistical inconvenience. In reality, it became one of the biggest challenges of their first year.
“We knew the road was closed when we took the pub on,” Debs says. “But we didn’t fully realise the impact the bridge closure would have.”
The Hunters Inn, Exmoor – road closure issues
The situation was complicated further by bookings that had been made under the previous tenants, many of whom had not been informed about the access problems.
“The previous tenants hadn’t told existing bookings about the works or the access issues,” Debs explains. “So we made the decision to cancel them and ask guests to rebook through our new system. That way we could be completely honest about the situation.”
Some guests chose to come anyway.
“Thankfully many did rebook once they realised we were open again,” she says. “And we felt it was better to warn guests about the works happening right outside their windows.”
The effect on trade, however, was impossible to ignore.
“To be honest, it’s been pretty devastating,” Mark says. “It’s affected deliveries, supplies and of course customers.”
The geography of the valley meant that what might have seemed like a small detour elsewhere became a far bigger inconvenience here.
“A lot of people simply didn’t want to take the longer routes around,” he explains. “Some locals who used to be a five-minute walk away suddenly had a 20-minute drive, which understandably put people off just popping in for a drink.”
The nature of the works also changed the atmosphere of the valley itself.
“People come here to enjoy the peace of the valley and the stunning views,” Mark says. “Unfortunately the bridge works have been both noisy and quite an eyesore.”
The timing of the disruption meant that the Waltons were also learning the rhythms of a new region during the quietest part of the year.
“Coming from Somerset, we’re used to quieter winters but you still get steady walking trade,” Debs says. “Here it’s been quite different and we probably underestimated just how much things slow down in the winter months.”
The Hunters Inn, Exmoor
Even so, closing the doors for the season was never part of the plan.
“We stayed open, kept going and came through the other side,” she says. “It’s given us a much better understanding going into next season. Our aim is still to stay open all year round, especially as so many places close in the winter.”
Support from the surrounding community has helped them through the difficult months.
“Yes, absolutely,” Debs says when asked about local backing. “People have supported us through events and by coming when they could, but the bridge closure definitely made it harder for many locals to pop over.”
Looking back, the experience has offered a crash course in the realities of running a rural pub in North Devon.
“It’s given us a real understanding of how seasonal trade can be here, and how much the weather affects life in the valley,” Debs says. “We’ve quite literally weathered a few storms.”
Now, however, the story is beginning to turn.
With the bridge finally reopening, the Waltons are marking the moment with something they never had the chance to hold last year – an opening celebration.
“We never really got the chance to have a proper opening party when we first took over because the bridge closed just four days later,” Mark says.
So on March 6, The Hunters Inn will host what he calls a delayed opening party.
“This feels like the perfect moment,” he says. “It’s a celebration that locals can finally cross the bridge easily again. It’s bringing the West Bank and East Bank back together.”
The night itself will be deliberately simple: music, food and the kind of atmosphere that defines a traditional country pub.
“We’ve got live music from the Moonshine Hillbillies from 8pm,” Debs says. “It’s also Pie Week, so we’ll have ten extra homemade pies on the specials board ready for a proper pie and party night.”
And naturally, the bar will be well stocked.
“There’ll be plenty of good beer flowing, including Stag and Otter,” she adds.
For Mark, success that evening will not be measured in ticket sales or numbers through the door.
“Seeing the place full of locals again,” he says, “and hopefully a few new faces who may have been put off visiting before because of the bridge closure.”
Above all, he wants the night to feel like a proper pub gathering.
“A good atmosphere, plenty of laughter and a bit of proper pub banter,” he says.
That sense of welcome is central to how the Waltons think about the inn today.
“It’s a really unique and beautiful old building set in one of the most stunning valleys you’ll ever see,” Debs says. “It’s run by a family and a team who genuinely love hospitality.”
The aim is simple: anyone walking through the door should feel comfortable.
“We want everyone who walks through the door to feel part of that,” she says. “Once you’ve seen The Hunters Inn, it’s the sort of place you never forget.”
In practical terms, that means creating a relaxed, inclusive environment.
“A proper family pub where everyone feels welcome,” Debs explains. “Somewhere relaxed and informal where you can sit with a pint, let the kids play in the garden, bring the dog along and enjoy good food and drink.”
Food, unsurprisingly, plays a central role. Mark’s background as a chef still shapes the kitchen.
“Pie Week this week is a big one,” Debs says. “Mark’s pies are quite famous from our time in Somerset, so they’re definitely worth trying.”
There are plans for other traditional favourites too.
“We’ll also be bringing back traditional Sunday roasts from Mother’s Day onwards,” she adds.
Another point of pride is the simple consistency of the offering.
“One thing we’re really proud of is that we serve food all day, every day — from breakfast and coffee through to lunch, tea and cake, and dinner.”
For the family, though, the significance of The Hunters Inn goes beyond menus and events.
“It’s a wonderful place for our grandkids to grow up visiting,” Debs says. “It’s family-friendly, full of character and somewhere they can make friends and great memories.”
After decades in the trade, there is also a quieter personal motivation behind the move.
“It’s the perfect place for us to ease into retirement,” she says.
With the road finally open again, attention is now turning towards the months ahead.
“More events, more live music, more visitors,” Mark says when asked what he hopes the next year will bring.
He pictures the pub at its best in the warmer months.
“Making the most of the garden, especially on lazy Sunday afternoons in the sunshine by the river, perhaps with a little music.”
Ask him to sum up the future of The Hunters Inn in a single thought and the answer comes quickly.
“A traditional country inn with rooms and a great local,” Mark says. “Welcoming walkers, tourists and locals alike, and becoming a real hub for the community. How it once was.”
For a place that first captured his imagination on a long coastal walk nearly two decades ago, it is a fitting destination.
Time is running out for Devon’s food and drink businesses to enter the prestigious 2026 Food Drink Devon Awards, with applications closing on Monday 30th March.
Widely recognised as the gold standard for food and drink excellence in the county, the Food Drink Devon Awards shine a spotlight on the talent, passion and creativity that make Devon such a celebrated food and drink destination. Entries are open to both Food Drink Devon members and non-members, with the winners being revealed at the glittering black tie Food Drink Devon Awards’ Ceremony on the 5th October at Sandy Park.
Celebrating the very best food and drink Devon has to offer, from artisan producers and innovative brands to much-loved cafés, pubs, restaurants, bars, takeaways and retailers, the award categories span the full breadth of the county’s vibrant food and drink scene.
Jack Pickering, board director of Food Drink Devon, comments on the awards: “The awards are a wonderful platform to showcase the incredible talent we have here in Devon. Entering not only provides valuable recognition from respected industry judges but can also help raise a business’ profile among customers, buyers and the wider community. With the deadline fast approaching, we urge anyone considering entering not to miss out.”
Producer Awards include Food Product of the Year, Drink Product of the Year, Best New Food Product and Best New Drink Product, alongside the popular Devon Wine of the Year, celebrating wines grown, produced and bottled in the county.
The Retail Awards recognise excellence across Best Retailer, Best Online Retailer and the new Best Wholesaler/Distributor category. Hospitality Awards cover favourites such as Chef of the Year, Best Fine Dining Restaurant, Best Restaurant, Best Hotel Restaurant, Best Pub (food-led), Best Bar (wet-led),Best Café and Best Takeaway or Street Food as well as Best Training School and the Sustainability Pioneer Award. New for 2026 is the Best Casual Dining category.
Every entrant has the chance to achieve bronze, silver, gold or platinum status. Judging for the awards is carried out by a panel of independent and unbiased experts including a number of celebrated names from the region. It is conducted blind with all product labels obscured and hospitality and retail judging taking place anonymously. After a rigorous and considered judging process, all results are verified by an independent adjudicator, entrants then receive their full feedback report providing valuable and constructive information which entrants can use to help their business grow.
Food Drink Devon represents more than 370 producers, retailers, hospitality venues and related businesses across the county. With a strong focus on quality, sustainability and provenance, the organisation works to raise Devon’s culinary profile both nationally and internationally. Look out for the distinctive green heart logo as a mark of trusted local excellence.
No trees will be removed for traffic calming measures to be installed on King’s Road following a redesign during the consultation process.
Instead, the proposed crossing outside City College Plymouth will be moved 20 metres north of the original proposal and the Council has committed to tree maintenance to ensure there is adequate visibility at the proposed crossing near the Stonehouse Bridge roundabout.
The Council embarked on three statutory consultations into proposals for a humped zebra crossing outside the City College Plymouth’s main entrance and another 20 metres from Devonport Hill/Stonehouse Bridge roundabout.
A series of speed humps was also proposed along the road which has seen several traffic accidents over the last five years, including two fatal and three serious collisions.
The crossings are part of the agreed planning conditions for Foulston Park – a multi-million pound investment into sporting excellence and community wellbeing, delivered through a partnership of Plymouth Argyle, Argyle Community Trust, Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Albion RFC and Devonport Community Leisure Limited (DCLL).
The plan originally involved removing four trees – three common limes near the entrance of City College and a London Plane on the corner of King’s Road and Stonehouse Bridge.
The consultation got underway in December and 50 responses were received, of which 20 were Stoke or Devonport residents. Of the responses, eight were in favour and 42 against and of those, 40 said the proposed removal of trees was their main reason for objection.
Other themes commented on were to introduce a 20mph speed limit, to move the zebra crossing so trees would not need to be felled, that the consultation is flawed and that trees are not responsible for accidents.
As the consultation progressed and it became clear that the loss of trees was not regarded favourably by some, so officers reviewed the design and a revised location to the north of the proposed crossing has now been put forward.
A further review into the lighting requirements at the crossing next to the Stonehouse Creek Car Park has proposed that instead of removing a London Plane sensitive tree maintenance would help address the lighting requirements.
As there is no longer a requirement to remove any trees, plans to plant 19 trees in in mitigation have been dropped but five trees will be planted nearby.
Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Transport has approved the proposal under an executive decision which has now been published. He said: “We listened, we revisited the proposals and we have found a way of ensuring that people can cross this road safely without the need for any trees to be removed.
“I would like to thank all those who took the time to comment – I think it’s fair to say we have been on a bit of a journey with these proposals but hope we people will feel reassured that we are listening and learning.”
Following consultation, it is proposed that:
The crossing nearest the college be relocated further north to align with the position of the proposed pedestrian access into Foulston Park. This removes the need to fell any trees at this location
The crossing near Stonehouse Bridge will proceed as planned but an additional review into the crossing’s lighting requirements has led to a revised proposal which means the London Plane earmarked to be moved will be subject to sensitive maintenance.
The road humps are constructed as advertised, subject to modification at the northern crossing as they are the best design solution to achieve the scheme benefits.
One month after its landmark Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy exhibition launched, The Box has officially recorded its busiest year since it opened in 2020.
The award-winning venue has welcomed 278,820 visits so far in 2025-26, surpassing its previous annual record of 272,266 and with six weeks still to go until the end of the current financial year.
The milestone reflects the huge popularity of its current exhibitions and family-friendly events, with February proving particularly strong. The Box experienced its five busiest days on record last week, peaking on Thursday 19 February with 3,685 visits, and its busiest-ever week with 20,233 visits – well above the previous weekly high of 15,725.
February half term (14-22 February) saw 26,289 visits, more than double last year’s total for the same period. The uplift was also reflected in other areas, with retail up by 275% and catering up by 60% compared with February half term 2025.
Councillor Jemima Laing, Deputy Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “These figures are amazing to see and very well deserved too. I’m incredibly proud of The Box, the team of staff and volunteers who make it the place it is, and the calibre of what happens there. The current exhibitions are world-class, and I urge anyone who hasn’t yet visited to make sure they do – even if it’s just to have a coffee in its fabulous café!”
The Box is now approaching its next ambitious target of 300,000 visits by 31 March 2026 while Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy continues until 31 May and the recently opened Journeys with Mai, which features an astonishing portrait of the first Polynesian to visit Britain by Plympton-born Sir Joshua Reynolds, runs until 14 June. Free tickets can be booked online. A packed programme of events including curator tours, comedy tours, silent discos and a Drag Bingo night are also set to take place this spring.
Liberal Democrat politicians have condemned a water company after it admitted supplying drinking water “unfit for human consumption” during a parasitic outbreak that left residents ill and thousands unable to use their taps.
South West Water pleaded guilty to the offence following a cryptosporidium outbreak that affected communities in and around Brixham, Devon, in 2024. The prosecution was brought by the Drinking Water Inspectorate after the contamination led to more than 140 confirmed cases of illness and four hospitalisations.
Liberal Democrat environment and rural affairs spokesperson Tim Farron MP described the admission as a serious failure by the company.
Mr Farron said: “This is an appalling admission of failure from South West Water and a betrayal of public trust. This should never have been allowed to happen.
“Bosses at South West Water have prioritised profits over people for far too long. The era of water firms marking their own homework must end.
“Liberal Democrats are calling for every penny of the fines paid by South West Water to be reinvested directly back into the local area. This money belongs to the communities that suffered.
“We need a change in ownership model so that companies become mutually owned by customers and employees, and regulated by a much stronger, unified regulator.”
The outbreak led to widespread disruption for residents, with about 16,000 households advised not to drink tap water unless it had been boiled.
The first confirmed cases were identified by the UK Health Security Agency on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. At that time the company told customers the water was safe to drink.
A day later, on Wednesday, May 15, the company confirmed traces of cryptosporidium had been found in the supply network and issued a boil water notice to homes and businesses in and around Brixham.
South Devon MP Caroline Voaden also criticised the company following its guilty plea.
Ms Voaden said: “A year ago, South West Water’s CEO claimed customers were a priority – today, the company pleaded guilty to supplying water totally unfit for human consumption.
“While this admission is long overdue, this tragedy simply should never have happened.
“I want to thank the DWI and the tireless campaigners who kept this crisis in the spotlight. One this is now beyond clear – we need faster, tougher regulation to hold these companies properly to account.”
Advice not to drink tap water without boiling it first remained in place for 54 days for some properties before being lifted on Monday, July 8.
South West Water admitted the offence, contrary to the Water Industry Act 1991, at Exeter Magistrates’ Court and issued what it described as a “full and unreserved apology for the impact of the incident”.
The company previously said it believed a damaged air valve on private land caused the outbreak. The parasite incident was estimated to have cost its parent company, Pennon Group, nearly £40 million.
Customers affected by the boil water notice, including those who became ill, were offered compensation.
Sentencing is due to take place at the magistrates’ court on June 2.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be overwhelming, but specialist nurses are preparing to offer support and guidance to families who may be struggling behind closed doors.
Free face-to-face clinics are set to be held at Nationwide branches across the South West, where dementia specialist Admiral Nurses will provide advice and practical support to anyone affected by the condition.
Run by the charity Dementia UK in partnership with Nationwide Building Society, the sessions will offer a confidential space for people to discuss concerns about dementia, from early symptoms and diagnosis to understanding how the condition can progress.
Nearly one million people are estimated to be living with dementia in the UK. With increasing numbers of people taking on caring responsibilities for relatives or friends with the condition, Dementia UK has also issued guidance to help carers look after their own physical and emotional wellbeing.
The charity recommends reaching out to friends and family for support where possible, whether that means asking for help with everyday tasks or simply having someone to talk to. It also encourages carers to research available support services, including requesting a Carer’s Assessment from social services, which may provide respite care or other assistance.
Another key piece of advice is making time for personal wellbeing. Dementia UK says carers should try to maintain hobbies, social connections and regular health checks where possible.
The charity also advises families to continue enjoying time with the person they care for. While relationships may change as dementia progresses, shared activities can help maintain connection and enjoyment.
Carers who are also working are encouraged to speak with their employers about their responsibilities and discuss potential flexible working arrangements.
Lesley Potter, Admiral Nurse at Dementia UK, said: “We’re looking forward to returning to the South West to offer support and advice to families affected by dementia in the area.”
She added: “Since the launch of our clinic programme, in partnership with Nationwide Building Society, we have been able to support thousands of people across the country with the lifeline of an Admiral Nurse, helping to ensure no one faces dementia alone.”
Charlotte Kensett, director of customer experience and social impact for Nationwide, said the organisation was proud to host the clinics in branches across the UK.
Charlotte said: “Dementia impacts millions of families and that’s why we’re incredibly proud to have brought life-changing support into 200 of our branches and helped more than 30,000 people through our partnership with Dementia UK.”
She added: “As a mutual we believe we have a role to play in strengthening the communities we serve and supporting those most in need. Through our social impact strategy, Nationwide Fairer Futures, we’re committed to changing hundreds of thousands of lives for the better.”
Appointments can be booked through the Dementia UK website at: https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/how-we-can-support-you/admiral-nurse-clinics/nationwide/?misc=media
The clinics will take place at Nationwide branches on the following dates:
Tuesday, March 3 and Wednesday, March 4 – Barnstaple
Thursday, March 5 – Ilfracombe
Tuesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 11 – Weston-super-Mare
Tuesday, March 17, Wednesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 19 – Newton Abbot
Tuesday, March 17, Wednesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 19 – Bath
Tuesday, March 24, Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26 – Bristol
