The Commission has already agreed, and the council have endorsed the move, to cut the numbers of councillors sitting on the authority from 40 to 30.

Now the second stage of the review, which started on March 26, is to slice the authority into 30 wards along new boundary lines. It is being undertaken with local consultation high on the Commission's priority list and will run until June 4.

Invitations have gone out to all interested parties to propose a new pattern of warding arrangements for the council and these will be published in draft form on the Commission's website www.lgbce.org.uk in August 2013.

South Hams District Council Leader Councillor John Tucker said: "The Local Government Boundary Commission's recommendation to reduce the number of councillors representing South Hams residents from 40 to 30 has been agreed by a majority vote in council. We do not need 40 members to run the authority. We can do it with 30.

"It will allow us to streamline the council and it could result in some cost savings, but that is not what it has been about. It is about getting the ratio of residents to councillors right across the area. Now the wards will be reshaped in the next few weeks and we ask residents to make their views known to us through the The Local Government Boundary Commission website: https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/794/la=328"

Archie Gall, the Commission's Director of Reviews, says in a letter to South Hams Chief Executive Richard Sheard: "The Commission aims to recommend a pattern of wards that achieves good electoral equality, reflects community identities and interests and provides for effective and convenient local government. It will also seek to use strong and easily identifiable boundaries."

For those who wish to aid the review technical guidance is available at www.lgbce.org.uk/guidance-policy-and-publications/guidance An interactive map of existing South Hams wards, electoral figures and guidance on how to propose a pattern of wards are available in the consultation area consultation.lgbce.org.uk

 

 

 

 Mobile Libraries Information Service Returns

 

After a successful first month, a pilot project offering advice and information to residents using Devon County Council's mobile libraries will be visiting more South Hams communities.

 

In April, a South Hams Connect advisor will be on board the library van as it stops off at Bickleigh, Lee Moor, Shaugh Prior and Yondertown.

 

South Hams Connect is a free outreach service, co-ordinated by South Hams District Council, offering information about a range of public services. The pilot project offers residents the opportunity to get help and advice with frontline services at the same time as they borrow books. It began this month (March) and already visitors to the County Council's mobile library service have been helped by the Connect advisor with a number of queries including ordering a replacement wheelie bin getting hold of more recycling sacks and requesting information for small businesses.

 

On Friday 19th April, a South Hams Connect advisor will be joining the mobile library at Shaugh Prior (School) 0945-1015 am, Shaugh Prior (White Thorn) 1020-1050 am, Lee Moor 1105-1135 am, Yondertown 1200-1220 pm and Bickleigh (Church) 1400-1445 pm.

 

 

The Neighbourhood Watch/Police Report for the month of February 2013 is as follows:-   7th February 2013 - A burglary involving the theft of approximately £1,500 of scrap metal taken from an out-building close to the China Clay works at Lee Moor.