A PANEL of representatives from local government, health, education and the police will be on hand to answer questions from the public at a ‘Question Time’ event in Tavistock tonight.

Members of the public are invited to attend the event at Tavistock Town Hall on Friday, February 3 to ask any questions they may have relating to issues in West Devon.

The panel will comprise the head boy and head girl of Tavistock College, Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez and an officer who will be able to help with operational answers, NEW Devon CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) operational and strategic officers and leader of West Devon Borough Council, Cllr Philip Sanders.

The event has been organised and sponsored by West Devon Borough Councillor and Devon County Councillor for Tavistock, Debo Sellis.

Mrs Sellis said: ‘As the local county and West Devon Borough councillor for Tavistock, members of the public often ask me about what is going on in our community. Frequently their comments can be quite heated and it struck me that members of the community might like to be able to ask questions directly to the people who can answer them. With this in mind, I set to and invited what I considered to be a good cross section of local knowledgeable people.

‘I have worked with Tavistock College tutor Helen Harris in the past to organise the political speed dating events, encouraging students to meet local councillors. I feel that inviting the head girl and head boy of the college to the panel will be an interesting and useful dynamic. I feel it is very important to work with students.

‘Too many young people do not use their vote and can feel unimportant. I am hoping there will be plenty of students in the audience.

‘The Police and Crime Commissioner has agreed to be questioned and will be supported by an officer who will be able to help with operational issues.

‘Cllr Sanders has a wealth of knowledge and is responsible for many areas associated with local government, being a triple-hatted councillor, a member of Dartmoor National Park, leader of West Devon Borough Council and chairman of Public Rights of Way to name just a few.

‘As Tavistock Hospital and health care in general is an important and relevant subject, I know that the public will be keen to find out what is going to happen with health care provision in Tavistock and the surrounding villages. Plymouth represents our area, however, there are grave concerns about what really goes on regarding the Tavistock area, so this should raise some interesting issues.’

As many people as possible are being invited to attend the event and have their questions answered.

Question Time will run from 7.30pm to 9pm and will be chaired by Cllr Robert Oxborough.