ENSURING the voice of West Devon's residents is heard in Westminster will be achieved through close co-operation between the borough's MP and the new chief executive of West Devon Borough Council, it was stated this week.

The pledge follows the first meeting between Geoffrey Cox and Richard Sheard, who has taken over the role of chief executive following the retirement of David Incoll.

The pair discussed a wide range of subjects, including budgetary issues affecting the council, its progress in finding savings, the new waste and recycling service, local parking policies, and what the council might be able to do to foster initiatives to help local independent businesses, the subject of the recent debate secured by the MP in the House of Commons.

Mr Cox said: 'I am confident the new chief executive and I will work well together, with the leader of the council and with local councillors, to convey powerfully to the new government the needs and interests of rural areas like ours.

'I also have a regular dialogue with the borough council on matters raised with me by constituents, and I am very pleased that the chief executive welcomed this and agreed to continue the programme of meetings I established with his predecessor.'