CASH could be on offer for community groups or projects under a new act designed to allow decision-making at grass-roots level.

Tavistock town clerk Roger Howard told residents at the recent annual town meeting that the Sustainable Communities Act became law after a campaign by parliament backbenchers.

Col Howard said 81 councils had 'signed up' to the act so far, including West Devon Borough Council. He said the importance of the act was that it was designed as a 'bottom-up' process.

'Individuals or groups can come up with proposals. In our case, they can put them forward to our southern parishes link committee — the best way to do that is through your local councillor,' said Col Howard.

He said the committee would then consider the proposal, and if it was worthy of support, it went up the system, through the 'filter' of the Local Government Association.

'They forward a shortlist of proposals to the Secretary of State for Local Communities, that's Hazel Blear at the moment. She has to publish an action plan to take these forward — she has to do something about them under the Act,' he said.

Col Howard said the deadline had already passed for the first round of proposals, but a new round was expected to be announced in October.

'There could be an annual bite at the cherry,' said Col Howard, who urged individuals or community groups to come up with ideas worthy of funding.

The Sustainable Communities Act could be used to save local pubs or shops, promote green energy schemes, reduce food miles, help older people, increase involvement in local democracy — a huge range of issues.

To find out who your local councillor is, call West Devon Borough Council on 01822 813600.