News | Page 30

A civilian member of staff has been sacked for fiddling his overtime at Devon and Cornwall Police. The force confirmed that a senior detention officer at Launceston police station was dismissed earlier this month. Superintendent Chris Brown, the head of the force’s criminal justice department, chaired a hearing that ran over two days and the allegations were found to be proven.

In a response to a local MP’s letter, the defence ministry confirmed a review was being undertaken of military policing services in the Devon and Cornwall area, but was unable to say where and when any reductions to officer numbers might be made.

A review is under way which will look at "the potential for making sensible and prudent cost reduction savings" at Devonport Naval Base nuclear site. Parliament has been informed that Ministry of Defence Police, who guard the facility, are "very concerned" about staffing cuts as a result of military spending being slashed.

Plymouth Moor View MP Alison Seabeck has criticised cuts to forces’ allowances.

Pupils’ attendance at 20 Devon schools could be affected if transport cuts go ahead as planned. Campaigners claim some areas of the county will be left with no services if companies decided they are not commercially viable; while the county council aims to proceed with a £1.3m reduction in its subsidy to bus firms.

North Somerset Enterprise Agency’s (NSEA) chief executive, Angela Hicks was enthusiastic about a new business centre which is set to be a ‘Hive’ of activity.

Cornwall Council needs over a four-year period to save another £1 million, and is looking to sacrifice some or all of its public conveniences if it absolutely has to. The authority is involving all parish and town councils in the decision-making process in order to come up with the best possible solution to its financial problems.

The Torbay Council chief executive has proposed cutting her own post under major restructuring plans to save the unitary authority money. The council spends about £2.3 million annually on senior management. Elizabeth Reikes said a restructuring could include cutting her post or sharing it with another council.

There is the likely prospect of job cuts at Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) because it will lose 21.5% of its government funding over the next four years. Dr Nigel Stone, the park’s director, said: "The reduction in funding is in line with what we were expecting and had planned for." ENPA said it had already made some savings by not refilling posts for staff members who chose voluntary redundancy.

Officials said the formula to decide government funding for the Avon Fire and Rescue budget has unjustly penalised them.

Under new plans, workers at Teignbridge District Council would not be paid for the first three days they are off. Staffing is a big expenditure for the council, and leader Alan Connett said although it was a "tough decision" he is in favour of the proposal, which he said could save £133,000 and also protect jobs.

Taunton Deane MP Jeremy Browne welcomed the protection of 40 Commando Royal Marines, based at Norton Fitzwarren, near Taunton. This is at a time when many other defence jobs are under threat. Liberal Democrat Mr Browne said front-line staff at Norton Manor camp would not be affected, but there may be a "small" reduction in back room personnel as a result of the Defence Review.