THE MP for West Devon and Torridge, John Burnett, stepped into the fray this week and is to meet a minister to try to get the Government to waive the 'fine' facing the borough council over its hike in the rates.

The borough is to be penalised to the tune of £66,276 for setting rates beyond the figure central government thinks is reasonable — the dramatic increase in Tavistock Town Council's rate has pushed West Devon into a situation where the Government 'claws back' some of the funds it allocated to the borough.

Mr Burnett is to meet Local Government Minister Hilary Armstrong for talks next week to explain why the borough was forced into such a tight corner.

He said: 'Tavistock Town Council is elected and accountable for its own conduct. It is not for me to interfere with its decisions.

'Having said that, it is for me to ensure the views of my constituents are heard and due weight given to them by the town council.

'I have received many letters from constituents complaining bitterly about the increase in the town council rate. There are many on low or fixed incomes who simply cannot afford the huge rise.

'On behalf of West Devon I shall be speaking to the minister to see if this penalty can be waived on the basis that the borough council is being penalised for the actions of the town council.'

Borough chief executive David Incoll said he believed it was the first time in the country that a town council had pushed a borough or district council into 'this unfair situation'.

'We have advertised in the national press to see if this is a first,' said Mr Incoll. 'Traditionally, the parish or town rate is a very small part of the overall bill.

'We are asking the Government for leniency — this year's town council hike was totally unforeseeable and is unfair on people living in other parishes.'