A GROUP from California which has been involved in the modernisation of huge international companies is to talk to West Devon Council about its philosophies.
The Ehama Institute is based in Santa Cruz — the organisation draws on the ancient origins of Mayan councils to help restructure businesses.
Directors from the institute are coming to Tavistock to talk to the borough's modernisation working group at the invitation of Cllr Caroline Keane, who has worked with them in the past.
Cllr Keane said: 'It's very exciting. They work with re-structuring organisations in a sustainable way. It's an opportunity to move forward and change for the better.
Cllr Keane said the institute is 'very progressive' and has been involved with the American airforce, a 'huge' firm called Lutz based in Florida and other large companies in Europe and the United States.
She said: 'It's about taking organisations as a whole and looking at the whole picture, rather than a fragmented version of it. It's about encouraging people to work together, to make the best possible use of the contribution of each person to the benefit of the whole structure.
'It's really important, particularly in a sparsely populated rural area, if we can get people working together inter-politically.'
Cllr Keane said other authorities including Teignbridge District Council have expressed interest in the Ehama Institute.
'I think we are very lucky to have them coming down here,' she said.
David Incoll, chief executive of West Devon Borough Council, said the presentation by the Ehama Institute on October 16 was part of the council's review of its working practices, as required by central government.