West Country South Hams

Some residents in South Hams could find themselves paying council tax for the first time. As part of the Government's welfare reforms, councils must design their own council tax reduction scheme for working-age people who are not working, or are on a low income.

Reduced funding means that all claimants will have to make some contribution. The scheme was approved after an 8 week consultation with residents, and will begin in April 2014.

Dog owners in South Hams are being warned to keep their pets away from a white substance that's washed up along the Salcombe Estuary.

The Palm Oil like material is similar to the substance found on Cornish beaches in October. The council say teams will be out to clear the North and South Sands beaches this morning.

Two Devon councils are facing cuts which could mean a quarter of their office staff are made redundant. The South Hams and West Devon authorities say cuts in government grants leave them with a gap of nearly five million pounds.

The two councils have already joined forces to make savings in services and senior staff. Now they say serious job cuts are the only way to stay within government rules. John Andrews reports.

The Conservative MP for Torridge and West Devon Geoffrey Cox said; 'One way or the other the two Councils have got to be assisted to survive a radical and draconian cut of a third of their budget.'

Two Devon councils are preparing to shed nearly a quarter of their office staff as they face huge cuts in their budget.

West Devon Borough and South Hams District Councils, who share many of their services and senior staff, are facing a £4.7million hole in their budget.

South Hams district council's recycling and waste team is starting it's road show later to advise people on how to prevent food waste and help the environment. They say 7.2 million tonnes of food and drink is thrown away every year.