WEST Devon Borough Council last week issued a statement in response to the Government's recent grant announcement.

The borough's government funding in 2013/14 was £3.604 million and this is being reduced to £3.168 million — a reduction of £436,000 (12.1%).

Council leader Cllr Philip Sanders said: 'Although like all councils we are still receiving a decrease in central government funding, today's announcement is what we broadly expected.

'There was some good news in that the Government has finally recognised that sparsely populated rural authorities are currently underfunded compared to urban authorities and has added approximately £50,000 to our base grant.

'Although the additional sum that we have been given is very small at least it is an acknowledgement that we are being underfunded.

'Small though it is, the money is a reward for all the lobbying that has been carried out by ourselves, MPs and an organisation called SPARSE which helps rural councils.

'I view this changing government position as a positive step and I look forward to seeing the gap between rural and urban funding reducing still further in the coming years.'