DEVON County Council has coped with reductions in Government funding “as well as possible” since 2010 according to one local MP.

The authority has had to find savings of £174 million over the past five years to ensure the books remain balanced and has done so with minimal council tax rises.

Central Devon MP Mel Stride made the comments following a Parliamentary briefing by Devon County Council Leader John Hart in Westminster on January 12.

He explained: “In an effort to reduce our huge national deficit, funding for local authorities has taken a huge hit since 2010.

"Devon County Council has had to make tough decisions on spending priorities, handle a similar workload with fewer staff and made County Hall far more efficient.

"It has also had to look at innovative ways of delivering services – one example in my constituency being the relocation of the library in Ashburton into the Post Office, saving Devon County Council money while offering a far better all-round service to local people.”

Mr Stride also praised the Council for helping to improve broadband coverage in the more isolated parts of Devon through helping to fund "Connecting Devon and Somerset" – a programme bringing superfast broadband to rural parts of the county unlikely to receive investment from internet providers due to the costs involved.

Mel added: “I’m delighted that rural broadband provision continues to be one of Devon County Council’s top priorities.

"There is much work to be done but DCC’s support is critical.

"Low speeds hold businesses and families back.”

Residents can give their views on Devon County Council’s spending priorities by taking part in a consultation: www.toughchoices.co.uk , which ends on January 29.

Alan Quick