HOPES that the Age Concern Centres in Okehampton, Hatherleigh and North Tawton would be re-instated, and Social Service provision in West Devon would not be cut further, were voiced by West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett this week.

His comments came after Devon MPs met an all-party Devon County Council delegation following warnings from the council of a potential funding gap of £36.5-million.

Mr Burnett told the Times he had made the case at the meeting for a number of projects and services in West Devon. 'I was told by council party leaders there was the possibility the county council may have around £4-million more available, as the Government was likely to change some of the accounting provisions.

'I made a case for Social Services provision for West Devon given the sparsity factor and need, and stressed that I hoped there would not be any cuts in that area. I also expressed the hope that they would re-instate the Age Concern day centres in Okehampton, Hatherleigh and North Tawton and the services provided by them,' he said.

A spokesman for the county council said the Government's provisional settlement for Devon's 2002/3 budget — which included an assumption that council tax income would increase by 6.75 per cent — was £505,893-million against the council's assessment that it would need to invest £542,443-million to maintain existing services.

Following an exchange of information, the MPs agreed to table questions in Parliament and raise their concerns about the provisional settlement — particularly the pressure on the Social Services budget.

The county council spokesman said extra money could possibly come from the Government's abolition of the penalty system, but the amount would only be £1.4-million.

'We don't know yet if and how the Government intends to replace the revenue it would lose. That clearly would have a significant bearing on the county council's investment plans for public services,' he said.

The final decision on Devon's 2002/3 budget will not be made until after the full county council meets on February 21.