Department may close in bid to cut costs

A COST-CUTTING exercise could see the closure of West Devon Borough council's revenue and benefits department, based at The Quay in Tavistock.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the council said the authority had considered an option to share its council tax, business rates and benefits section of the authority with South Hams District Council.

The spokesperson said: 'This option has been approved by both authorities and the council is currently in talks with the organisations involved. The council always aims to achieve the best possible value for its taxpayers.

'This option is one of several measures that the authority is investigating, which could save a substantial sum of money, offer high standards of performance and achieve significant public satisfaction.'

The spokesperson said at present, it was 'very, very early days' as far as the move was concerned, but no job losses were envisaged.