THE amount of cash communities across Devon receive from the county council for local projects is being doubled.

The county council has voted to devolve £600,000 to communities this year to kick-start local initiatives.

In the current financial year, the eight county committees operating in each of Devon's districts received £300,000. But the county council's budget meeting agreed to double that sum for 2012/13.

The cash will be devolved even more locally with parish, town and district councils playing a much greater role in deciding how to spend it.

The idea is the brainchild of council leader John Hart: 'Many Devon people volunteer and many Devon communities already have vigorous self-help networks.

'This year was the first year of the scheme and the £300,000 was devolved to our eight county committees.'

Cllr Hart said he wanted to go further this year and make the decision- making process even more local.

'I firmly believe decisions should be made as locally as possible to encourage local accountability and I have always advocated more partnership with our district, town and parish colleagues,' he said.

As with this year's community fund, the cash is being distributed based on the number of people on the electoral roll in each district. It will be allocated on the basis of £1 for every registered elector.