MP meets Communities and Local Government Secretary to discuss rural funding

On Monday evening, Torridge and West Devon MP, Geoffrey Cox, led a delegation from West Devon Council to discuss the unique challenges facing the rural authority with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP.

Mr Cox, along with the Chief Executive of West Devon Borough Council, Richard Sheard, Head of Finance & Audit, Lisa Buckle, Council Leader Cllr James McInnes and Cllr Philip Sanders met with the Secretary of State to press home to him the problems which face constituents living in rural areas and the steps which West Devon is taking to address them.

Cllr McInnes and Cllr Philip Sanders made a powerful case for a change in the funding formula in West Devon. They said ‘‘We are delighted that the Government is intending to review the formulae for the cost of services when establishing the Baseline for Business Rates Retention.’

Mr Cox said, “The Secretary of State has been made aware of our unique situation in West Devon, in particular the distances which need to be covered in order to deliver services and value for money. West Devon is a well run council which has proven itself to be a pioneer in delivering efficiency savings by sharing services with South Hams.

I am pleased that the Secretary of State will be looking closely at ways to help rural areas like ours to grow SMEs and micro businesses. The people of West Devon are ready and willing to find innovative ways of getting through this recession.”