AN independent charity which helps communities in Devon, The Community Council of Devon, has announced it is to change its name after 50 years.

Founded in 1961, CCD has accumulated a wealth of experience in helping communities resolve and progress the matters that are important to people in the county.

In recent years there has been a call from those it works with to change the name. The feeling was that the name no longer represented what the organisation does, while the term ‘council’ often meant the charity was mistaken for a Local Authority.

The charity, whose vision is “dynamic communities shaping their own futures” will now be known as Devon Communities Together and will be the operating name for the Community Council of Devon.

It will be business as usual as the organisation develops growth in the charitable and commercial sector and continues to build upon the strong relationship it has with partners and communities in Devon. The charity has achieved significant projects and achievements.

Partnership working has helped Devon Communities Together in its work with rural communities and has been integral to its work involving, affordable rural housing, neighbourhood planning, village halls, sports facilities, community services and social enterprise.

Key partners include District and Parish Councils, Devon County Council, Devon and Cornwall Housing Group, the Heart of the SW business support programme, Devon Oil Collective, the University of Exeter and the Devon Association of Local Councils.