RESIDENTS in Starcross will be able to find out more about local government reorganisation at a public meeting being held by the parish council.

Councillors have met MP Martin Wrigley, Devon County Councillor Alan Connett and our district councillor Gary Taylor recently to discuss the proposals.

The public meeting follows the announcement that Exeter City Council proposes to take over Teignbridge villages.

Starcross parish council chairman Cllr Jim Hopper explained: ‘In our area this means an end to confusion over who does what.

‘Of course, our main interest revolves around the future of parish councils.

‘It became apparent that this question is still to be clarified but the feeling was that local councils will remain and that rather then losing powers there is every possibility of extra responsibilities being passed down.

‘This was apparent recently when Teignbridge looked at provision of public conveniences with an eye on closure of ours in Starcross. reorganisation of Local Government.

‘The big question now is what grouping will Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council recommend to the Government.’

The reorganisation involves the abolition of Teignbridge District and Devon County and the creation of new larger groupings to create fewer councils with greater responsibilities.

The final decision rests with Government.

Cllr Hopper explained that there are ‘many possible variations’.

He said: ‘Teignbridge appears to favour a council group comprising of Torbay, Teignbridge, South Hams and West Devon with the hub being in Torquay.

The other two council groups would be based on Plymouth and Exeter.

‘This is known a the 1.4.5.Plan.

‘An alternative is a two-group north-south split with Teignbridge based on Exeter and the northern group based on Plymouth.’

The parish council meeting on Tuesday September 9, starts at 7.30pm in the Pavilion to discuss the proposals with villagers.