Tory candidate for the new Tiverton & Minehead constituency, currently member for Bridgwater and West Somerset, Ian Richard Peregrine Liddell-Grainger, sounds off again. [Use EDW search box to find past harrumphs].

Owl doesn’t think the creation of a Somerset unitary authority, by merging Districts, is entirely relevant to the hoops Devon is trying to jump through to unlock devolution cash.

Beware of who you vote for in Tiverton. – Owl

Lewis Clarke www.devonlive.com

Parliamentary candidate Ian Liddell-Grainger has warned Devon councils not to rush into a merger they might later regret. He says plans to link Devon County Council and Torbay Council and devolve some Government functions could end up saddling taxpayers with unforeseen costs.

Under Government proposals the authorities would merge to become a single, Level 2 non- mayoral council.

Spokesmen for the councils have welcomed the deal, saying it will benefit residents and businesses and give the area a stronger voice in influencing national policies.

But Mr Liddell-Grainger, who intends to stand for the Conservatives in the new seat of Tiverton and Minehead said every caution should be exercised.

“Mergers between local authorities are always talked up as opening the door to a prosperous new world but they don’t always turn out so successful,” he said.

“Take a look at what happened in Somerset where the former county council leader David Fothergill sold the idea of merging all five local authorities with the carrot of £18 million savings.

“Two years later Somerset council is on the dung heap: on the point of bankruptcy with unmanageable debts.

“Somerset’s case should serve as a terrible warning as to how taxpayers can be dragged into chaos as a result of uncontrolled enthusiasm for change.”