THE electorate of West Devon have the chance to make their voice heard later this month in the first referendum to be held in the borough for 27 years.

The referendum is to decide whether West Devon Borough Council should be led by an elected mayor or a streamlined committee system.

With the clock ticking away to January 31, notices of the referendum have been posted on every parish noticeboard within the borough.

The notices explain the referendum is being conducted through an all-postal ballot, which means no polling stations will be open on January 31. Ballot papers will be sent to more than 38,000 West Devon residents on January 17.

The ballot paper pack, including clear instructions on how to record your vote, will contain a voting paper, declaration of identity, an envelope for the completed ballot papers and a post-paid envelope to the Electoral Reform Society which is conducting the ballot.

The ballot papers must be received by the Electoral Reform Society in London by no later than 9pm on January 31 to be counted.

The result of the referendum is expected the following day.

Under the Local Government Act of 2000, parliament requires councils across the country to choose one of four methods of conducting their business.

The mayoral referendum is being held because two polls carried out in West Devon revealed a significant interest for change in the borough, with a referendum proving the most popular way forward.

If the public votes for an elected mayor, an election will be held in May this year to choose a mayor to head the council in a cabinet-style leadership system for the following five years.

If the vote is against a directly elected mayor, a streamlined committee system will be introduced.

A comprehensive leaflet called 'U Decide' was produced and distributed by the borough council to every household in West Devon last November. The leaflet has been supported by a poster campaign.

More information about the referendum can be obtained by visiting the borough council's website at http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk