Welcome to the West Devon Borough Council website.

PLEASE NOTE: END OF TRANSITIONAL RELIEF 2009/10 - The transitional scheme applicable to the 2005 rating list ended 31st March 2009. The rateable value of some properties rose or fell in line with changes in rental values after the last valuation on 1st April 2005 and "transitional arrangements" were put in place, by central government, to phase in the increases (or decreases) in the rate bill. The next revaluation will come into effect on 1st April 2010. THIS TRANSITIONAL SCHEME OPERATED OVER A FOUR YEAR PERIOD FROM 1ST APRIL 2005. THIS MEANS THAT EVERY RATEPAYER WILL PAY THEIR TRUE LIABILITY IN YEAR FIVE (EFFECTIVE 1ST APRIL 2009) WITH MOST HAVING PAID IT SOONER. As a result, all National Non Domestic Ratepayers, whose bills were previously affected by transitional relief in 2008/09 may notice a considerable increase in their rates charge from 1st April 2009.

Total Revenue Budget for the Authority

KPMG have reviewed the outcomes from the Best Value Inspections of other authorities relating to procurement and have identified below those common issues that in the opinion of the inspectors require improvement:

Please use this form to report suspected breaches of planning control.

We are able to collect bulky items (for a fee) which are not suitable for normal refuse collection

The clearing of litter, leaves and debris from the public highway

I have lost my garden waste bags. Can they be replaced?

General enquiries you may have relating to your regular household refuse collection

This refers to the provision and emptying of street litter bins in West Devon Borough Council

Enquiries regarding the maintenance or upkeep of graveyards in West Devon

We supply and empty bins designed for the purpose of disposing of dog waste

Investigation of complaints regarding barking dogs

Acupuncture Licences, Electrolysis, Tattooing and Semi-permanent Make-up, Body Piercing and Ear Piercing

Provides a regulatory service in relation to commercial animal businesses

West Devon Borough Council is keen to support local businesses, whether they are existing or newly-started enterprises.

The Devon Building Control Partnership provides a full building control service covering South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon Borough Councils

Information about West Devon Borough Council and the area that it covers

Council Tax Benefit is a national welfare benefit scheme, which helps people to pay their council tax. Claimants with no income or low income (this includes all claimants on Income Support, Income Based Jobseekers Allowance or Guarantee Credit may qualify for maximum benefit, which could be 100% of the council tax bill.

Information about the ways in which you can submit a planning application

The Council deals with many kinds of licensing, as outlined below. Further information about each area of licensing can be accessed by choosing the relevant link on the left-hand side of this page.

Information on the ways in which you can comment on planning applications that have been made.

West Devon is keen to support local businesses

Information about the ways in which you can remain up to date with the progress of a planning application.

Unauthorised development

Information about the Council's budget and the way that it spends it's money

Information about whether Building Regulations are required for works.

Information about Building Regulations if you are buying or selling a property

Listed Buildings, Listed Building Consent, Conservation Areas, Planning Control In Conservation Areas, Emergency Protection of Unlisted Buildings and Ancient Monuments

Provision of land and property services

If you are the only adult in your main home then you will qualify for a reduction in council tax

Information for students, landlords who let properties to students

Selling/Buying a house, needs Building Regulations information.

Information to assist existing businesses in the West Devon area

Useful information if you are considering moving your business to West Devon

This Service regulates the Commercial Breeding of Dogs

Registrars Office for Births, Deaths and Marriages

We deal with Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for people living in West Devon

If you feel you might be eligible for Housing or Council Tax Benefit, you should apply straight away - if you delay you may lose benefit.

As soon as we have received your completed application, we will check your form and supporting evidence and write to you to let you know how much benefit you are entitled to

Vehicles which are abandoned without lawful authority from any land in the open air

Your benefit entitlement is assessed based on the information which you will have given when you made the claim. If any of your circumstances change, this might change your benefit entitlement and you should notify us immediately

If you do not agree with your Council Tax banding then there are certain laid down grounds for appeal.

The Council is committed to the prevention and detection of fraud within the Housing and Council Tax benefit service

Providing information and guidance to business and voluntary organisations in West Devon on planning for emergency situations.

The level of service you can expect from the Revenues & Benefits section of West Devon Borough Council.

Information about non-payment of Business Rates

There are a number of ways to pay your Business Rates

Information on new Housing Benefit legislation that came into effect on 7th April 2008. This page provides information on Local Housing Allowance (LHA), and answers some frequently asked questions including:

Some changes to the rates liability for empty and partly occupied properties took effect from 1 April 2008. The Government has reformed empty property relief in order to provide a strong incentive to bring empty property back into use. This will help to increase the supply of premises to let, and so reduce business rates and improve the competitiveness of the UK, as well as bringing forward brownfield sites for re-development and so reduce the need for new development on environmentally valuable greenfield land. The reforms to empty property relief have consequential impacts for the rates liability of partly occupied properties that have been apportioned.

West Devon Borough Council have prepared some support and guidance notes to assist people in West Devon during the current economic climate.

From April 2008 free bus travel has been available on all registered local bus services within England for eligible residents aged 60 years and over or those with disabilities.

It's now much easier to recycle your used batteries.

West Devon currently has over 50 recycling banks located throughout the borough collecting a range of items for recycling.

This is important news that could benefit your business. The Government is introducing a temporary increase in the level of Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) available to eligible businesses. These changes will come into effect in October 2010. Meanwhile, you should ensure that you continue to pay your existing business rates bill.

West Devon Borough Council have appointed an Anti-Social Behaviour Officer to tackle anti-social behaviour problems within the West Devon area. The Anti-Social Behaviour Officer has been appointed to crack down on unruly behaviour within the West Devon Borough Council's area and has promised to use the full weight of the law to provide better protection and reassurance to the public.

The Government is planning to make legislation in November 2010 that will change the Local Housing Allowance rules from April and October next year. Until the legislation is in place we cannot give you specific advice as to how you might be affected but the information below is based on the announcements made by the Government.