Devon County Council Reviews 

Devon County Council's social services, Adult Social Care seem incapable of doing a Care Act needs assessment for my relative with deteriorating health conditions. Yet, they are bleating in the press about being disappointed at 'being just one point off' being graded as good after a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission. They are identified as NEEDING IMPROVEMENT.
My family member has been fobbed off repeatedly for several months, having been referred by their local Chronic Fatigue Service. They are now too tired, ill and despondent to chase up any support after yet another failure to phone, as promised, by an assessor? social worker? Independent Living assessor (they have not had the courtesy to explain their role, a basic requirement for an interview with a service provider staff member).

wanted to raise a concern about some of the potholes in the area, as they’ve become quite severe and haven’t been addressed for a while.

There is a particularly large pothole just before North Devon Wake Park that is now so big it takes up the entire road. It has been in this condition for months and is very difficult to avoid when driving.

There are also many significant potholes on the road going up the big hill in Westward Ho! (not the hill where the old speed camera used to be, but the other one). These are also in poor condition and make driving along that stretch of road quite difficult.

My car has already suffered some damage from repeatedly having to drive over these, and I imagine other drivers are experiencing the same issue.

I’d really appreciate it if this could be looked into and repaired as soon as possible, as it’s starting to cause ongoing problems. Thank you

Recently received a letter from Devon county about a moving traffic issue. Had a bit of a panic because I didn't realize I'd done it, turning right where there was a no right turn, however the photo clearly showed the no right turn and me turning right. I thought fair dos. But actually the letter when I we read it was just a warning, it clearly explained the issues, and then explained the potential fine if it happened again. Really appreciated this pragmatic approach. I should have been paying attention and seen the sign, so really very grateful for this approach. I know it's easy to moan when things go wrong, but wanted to take the opportunity to let you know when it goes right. Thank you team Devon county council

Generally a very poorly run council. Seems particularly mean spirited to charge for parking near a park on a Sunday and to send out wardens. But probably what I would expect tbh.

Do completely the opposite to what most people want.

Twice I have reported overgrown a hedgerow near to my home address which impacts on infant school children. Low hanging bramble branches could cause an eye injury.
Twice I have had a generic email response which basically says nothing. The council are so poor in their correspondence. They want you to just give up.

Spoke to some housing people here. Won't say the area. Nothing but concern and help unlike the council where I am that are involved in some really unpleasant issues and refuse to help me and engage in hate crime i allege.
Although the result didn't help me, those who I spoke to were really kind and tried to.

Devon County Council are awful. Their roads caused serious damage to my vehicle and are refusing to acknowledge it is their fault. I will be seeing you in court to get my money back, caused from the ‘lake’ size ‘pot hole’. Disgusting and shocking response from the council.
I am shocked and disappointment they can lie through their teeth and treat the public so poorly, especially in these hard times. They clearly do not have a conscience and could not care about the public and their safety. I look forward to seeing you in court.

Devon County Council are a disgrace. Too many levels of Government in UK. Pot holes, everyone's nightmare - they fill up holes, not properly, you drive over them and within weeks back to square one. This is false economy do the job properly and everyone would be safe. But what do they care. No point taking photos that would create accidents drive down any road and see for yourself. The A396 Exeter to Tiverton road has been disgusting to drive along for years endless pot holes. You buy a decent car and have to drive on substantial roads. DCC get a lot of money from council tax pp plus what happens to our road tax!!
Accountability is needed from these councils MDCC are no better they spend approx £30m tax payers money to build flats not fit for purpose and can't get safety approval. What a joke .

FIT FOR PURPOSE?
1….Our council tax has just gone up by nearly £500.
For the nearly £4000 I get to live on a street with potholes and to avoid all the bumps in the road have to drive out the least efficient end of our road.
2……DCC spending 100’s of 1000’s of £’s on pedestrianisation in Newton Abbot not welcome but went ahead anyway.
Currently converting our market area into a super bar/coffee bar I think.
3. Hedges in narrow road access to village not cut in over a year cars scratched and narrowing of roads….!!?

To the above we have to access via pot holed roads in Newton Abbot.
Please explain the democratic or practical logic to this.
Is this joined up thinking?

I reported a dangerous road, the Plymouth road between Totnes and Avonwick. This road has many potholes, but the 0.6 mile I reported is a straight from the Sandwell turning to the Tigley crossroads. Where the centre line should be, the road is deeply rutted for a long section. My concern is that as this is a long straight, a motorcyclist, following a slower vehicle, could see a clear road, overtake completely legally within the speed limit, and then find they have to cross deep rutting to safely return to the correct side of the road. This could easily lead to a complete loss of control and a serious accident.
Having reported it to Devon county council, I had a reply from Devon highways to state that it had been inspected and did not fit their criteria as a pothole and would therefore not qualify for an urgent repair. I find this incredulous. Despite my reporting it, It isn't even logged logged on their pothole map, meaning that should some poor motorcylist have an accident, presumably, they aren't liable. I have however got a log number to prove I have made them aware.

Spoke with a lady called Laura donnellan she was clear and well spoken. Explained everything and more. She was kind helpful and patient making paying my rent a much more pleasant experience thank you Laura donnellan. Kindness regards R. Beddard.

There is a large number of potholes outside Buckfast Abbey on a 20 yard stretch of road. Highways staff have attended on a number of occasions, one day to paint a line round one pothole and then returning some time later to repair just that pothole (so poorly that the hole reappears within a couple of weeks). Why, whem they are repairing one pothole, do they not repair the whole stretch of road which would save so much tine, money and materials. This has been going on for the last six months and is so obviously false economy. What a waste of tax payers money.

Was working delivering food for Uber and parked in cathedral yard less than 5 minutes to come back to my car and the traffic warden saw me leaving but never said nothing, I’ve challenged the fine but unsuccessful, I’m trying to earn the living not on benefits as I told them but they didn’t care. I’ve seen many cars parked there before and no tickets! Where are we supposed to park? Even when we park in loading bays the traffic wardens always tells off! Can someone tell me where we supposed to park? Maybe I should stop working And apply for benefits! Also everyday there are cars parked opposite Harry’s restaurant in longbrook street double yellow lines and I’ve never seen a car with a parking ticket maybe the traffic wardens get free stuff from them!
If I can earn the living legally might as well start robbing shops etc!

Parking services.
I received a ticked for apparently parking where I shouldn't, there were no signs and warden was rude and failed to tell me what I had done wrong, he never pointed out any signs and then lied twice, this was recorded on his body worn cam.
I've lost all respect for DCC and Keith Hardacre.

Devon county social and education system is not fit for purpose. They have lied, not communicated, not answered questions, and made promises not kept. The senior managers are just corrupt.they only serve their self interest not public. OFSTED AND THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO PENALISE THEM.

East Devon District Council the worst landlord I've ever had! Complete disregard for their tenants safety and their properties despite their legal duties as a landlord. The rudest staff who wouldn't know what customer service even if it was embedded into them. Utter shambles!

The tourist industry is huge in our country and should be encouraged and embraced. This is the dilemma when a council fails to cater or support or indeed encourage the revenue tourists generate for a region.
Two notices on a toilet wall located opposite the main beach in Exmouth, one extolling the area, the other advising the toilets will be closed for a seasonal period of……SIX months. Why, why why?

We lost a tyre and damaged a wheel in one of the hundreds if not thousands of potholes that litter the roads on and around The Hartland Peninsula. It is the third time that we have lost a tyre and the second wheel we have lost to potholes in the last five years, although on different cars. On previous occasions I have tried to claim from DCC but given up because the claim process on their website is so difficult and time consuming to use. This time I persevered. It is extraordinarily difficult to make a simple claim and I am convinced the claim process has been designed by DCC to deter and discourage people from making a claim. DCC are wholly failing in their obligations to keep our roads in good repair and then add insult to injury by putting in such a citizen unfriendly claim process. Why when my wife's wheel and tyre is damaged through DCC's long standing negligence do I have to send in a photo of my car insurance, the last car repair, an MOT certificate etc. etc.? All that does is complicate and delay the completion of a very basic claim form. Why when I am obliged to report on one DCC webpage the location of a pothole and provide detailed photographic evidence of the potholes existence including measurements do I have to repeat all that information again in the claim form rather than just give the report reference number for the pothole which DCC has provided to me? Having gone all through the process (which begins with DCC giving me detailed financial data to discourage my continuing with the claim i.e. very few claims succeed) I am told I have to wait a minimum of 12 weeks to hear the result of my claim. It is a total disgrace.

Van permits for recycling centre takes ages. Having been told at the centre it takes 2 hrs and to apply online, you’re then told its 2 weeks. No wonder fly-tipping is such a problem!
Council staff take 20 minutes to answer the phone and are no help at all. Must do better.