MORE than 200 people came along to a drop-in 'surgery' in Hatherleigh earlier last week, aimed at helping residents in rural communities take up scores of West Devon Borough Council services. It is the start of a weekly surgery at Hatherleigh Community Centre from 9am to 2pm where council customer service advisers can give help and advice to residents in the area. Over the next 12 months, regular surgeries are being planned for rural communities in the borough. North Tawton is the next area to benefit with a surgery planned at the town hall on Tuesday January 23. Cllr Dennis Bater, the West Devon Borough Councillor who represents Hatherleigh, said: 'Our rural communities are very important to us and this initiative will be a useful one for all our residents.' West Devon Borough Council's customer services manager Darren Cole said he was delighted with the 'magnificent turnout'. The event also included a wide range of organisations across West Devon who were offering help and advice. The council's customer service advisers and officers from planning, housing and environmental health were joined by representatives from Job Centre Plus, Devon's Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, West Devon Care and Repair, West Devon Citizens Advice Bureau and local Police Community Support Officer Denton Williams. Teresa Guscott, Customer Employment Team Leader, with Jobcentre Plus, was delighted with the success of the event. 'It was very worthwhile and was very well attended for such a rural area. I have received many enquiries regarding a wide range of benefits.' PCSO Williams said: 'As a PCSO this is something West Devon needs and I'm sure it will go from strength to strength.'
