We fight back at the incorrect information being shared while we are conducting a consultation on a single authority.

It has been incorrectly stated we are bailing out a failing West Devon Borough Council, they have vast debts and they are obviously inefficient. The list continues and it has been inferred that there is no certainty that a single authority will save money

Perhaps some background informations would be helpful. The Government’s Revenue Support Grant ends in 2018. (From 2009 we have already seen a loss of Suport Grant funding amounting to £5.5m). This will produce a budget gap £0.8m by 2020. This is an annual deficit which, if not resolved, will only grow every year. We are seeking ways to reduce the deficit . The single authority does not resolve the entire deficit but goes some way towards its reduction. If we do nothing we will not be able to provide South Hams residents the same levels of service currently enjoyed.

There would be a public outcry if non statutory services were cut, for example the closing public toilets, stopping any non-statuory grants to communities and partners, charging more in our car parks, reducing the grass cutting and maintenance of our parks, the list goes on. We are committed to finding a way of closing this gap, but we are running out of options.

West Devon is facing very similar problems to us. We have jointly achieved major cost savings by sharing services but we need to make more.

West Devon’s budget gap will appear sooner than ours but, if we let West Devon fail, it would have serious financial consequences for us all and make our own impending budget problem significantly worse. If we break away from West Devon we would have to find another £3m year on year to run our services.

It is true that there will be an additional cost to South Hams council tax payers but on a band D property this amounts to £63, less than £1.25 per week. The increase could be phased in over a number of years.

As the leader and deputy leader, we are fully committed to earmarking funds raised by this increase by putting together a package to help the most vunerable council tax payers and provide additional funding for the provision of affordable homes for the residents of South Hams.

To sumarise, we have four key messages:

1. Government funding cuts means we have to take responsibility and act now to protect frontline services .

2. If action is not taken now we will have to consider significant cuts to important services and raise fees and charges.

3. Council tax equalisation provides the opportunity to set aside money for such things as affordable housing and support for community led schemes.

4. Doing nothing is not an option

We strongly urge members of the public to read the information provided on line at www.onecouncil.org.uk or to come along to one of our consultation events where we would be pleased to explain details in person.

We are passionate to deliver our present level of services.

Cllr John Tucker

Cllr Simon Wright

Leader and deputy leader South Hams District Council