THINGS are on the up at Devon County Council.

We’ve just reported a £10 million underspend for our first year as a new administration.

That’s not because we’ve made cuts or failed to spend, but because we’re running things better and more efficiently.

Children’s and adults’ services have both posted a surplus for the first time, we’re probably the only council in the country to do so. All achieved, not by crashing around like the proverbial bull in a china shop, but by working constructively and collaboratively with council officers.

We’ve questioned, queried and scrutinised decisions and policies. Council officers have risen to the challenge and deserve great credit and our thanks.

The county is a happy place, striving to deliver the best and most efficient services we can for our communities. That’s doing the job we were elected to do.

These savings will allow us to invest in your priorities. We had already passed our first budget which highlighted record spending on highways maintenance.

Now we can use the surplus to spend even more. Of course, our roads aren’t going to become perfect overnight, but with this extra cash you will see a marked improvement year on year.

We can also support our library services and go further by pledging an extra £1 million.

This will help transformation, creating a sustainable and viable service for the medium and long term. We know how much our communities value our libraries.

Across the council, children are our top priority. After years of failing, we have turned the corner.

The latest two monitoring reports from Ofsted and the government appointed commissioner have all recognised the improvements.

Credit to the previous administration with starting this journey and the dedication and the passion of officers, led from the very top.

We know we’re not there yet, but we are determined to do our upmost for the most vulnerable, children and adults. They need us more than ever.

We’re investing in fostering, in growing our own social workers. We want to respect and nurture our key workers who make such a difference to people’s lives.

Their value to our communities and society in general is immense. I salute them.

Compare and contrast all this with central government. How ironic, as Westminster once again descends into farce, they are forcing local government to reorganise.

We’re on our third minister now. It’s going to cost council taxpayers millions with no guarantee things will be better.

It’s going to create even more chaos and more people angry and frustrated with government. Something’s just not right, this won’t bring stability.

There are benefits to be had from reorganisation, but why not let local councils sort it out?

I feel very proud to be part of an authority that is making a difference.

We know we have much to do, but we are showing what can be achieved when we work together. Westminster government could learn a lot.