EFFICIENCY savings of at least £600,000 ? the approximate cost of collecting West Devon?s refuse for a year ? are being made by West Devon Borough Council over the next three years. Already the council has identified savings of more than £300,000 for the next year (2005/06) alone. The move follows the government?s spending review last year, which said that local authorities must make savings of 2.5% in their budget for each of the next three years. For West Devon, efficiency savings of £207,000 or more must be made every year. The figure is based on the council?s annual budget of £6.8-million and its capital programme. The savings are being made through a series of initiatives including the reorganisation of the council?s management structure, reducing the number of council committees from seven to six, exploring new ways of working and broadening its partnership working with other local authorities. Lesley Halton, West Devon Borough Council corporate director, said: ?West Devon, in fact, makes savings far in excess of that required by the Government. ?In order to finance new Government demands, demographic changes and service improvements rightfully expected by our residents, the council ruthlessly examines all of our budgets ever year.? he said. ?This particular efficiency exercise has not presented a difficult challenge since West Devon has always been driven by a culture of achieving better services for less cost.?