WEST Devon Borough Council has thanked John Burnett, the retiring MP for West Devon and Torridge, for his commitment to the area during his eight years in Parliament. At a meeting of the council, West Devon Mayor Cllr Christine Grills, paid tribute to Mr Burnett as ?an excellent constituency MP?. She added: ?You have always been willing to help the borough council and arrange meetings with ministers and others to enable us to promote our case.? The council, she said, had a very good working relationship with Mr Burnett, who had not only supported the borough but had challenged the authority at times on behalf of his constituents. Mr Burnett thanked the council for its support and said that it too deserved tribute and praise. He said: ?The council is extremely well served by its councillors who are dedicated, know their constituents well and are attentive to their needs. ?The authority is also supported by officers of a very, very high calibre and that comes from the top through its chief executive David Incoll who is held in very high regard.? He said that West Devon was an efficient small council that delivered good services ?on a shoestring? and the work it carries out needs to be recognised more widely. He added: ?I hope, as time progresses, that many of the marvellous projects you have already delivered will be mirrored further down the line. You really are an excellent council.? Liberal Democrat Mr Burnett has been the area?s MP since 1997.
