Devon County Council celebrates 20‑year call centre, warns on reorganisation

Devon County Council marked the 20th anniversary of its Customer Service Centre, which began in 2005 as a pilot to answer calls from residents over 50. The centre now employs 36 advisers who handle about 20,000 telephone calls, 6,000 emails and 2,000 Blue Badge applications each month, serving residents of all ages across a broad range of council services. Councillors and senior staff visited the centre to present long‑service awards and acknowledge its role as a vital link between the council and the community.

Council leader Cllr Julian Brazil urged the UK government to follow expert advice when deciding the future structure of local government in Devon. Citing the recent Essex reorganisation, he warned that ignoring civil‑service recommendations could jeopardise services for vulnerable adults and children. The council favours a single county‑wide unitary authority, estimating restructuring costs of £50‑£80 million and stressing the need for financially sustainable designs that protect frontline services.