Devon's three biggest councils must save more than £6m

Devon's three biggest councils have been told they must each save more than £6m this year from their budgets.

The cuts are part of national measures involving a reduction of more than £6bn in public spending.

Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council will all see a 0.6% cut in funding.

Devon County Council will have £3.9m less to spend, Plymouth City Council's budget will shrink by £1.8m and Torbay Council's budget will be cut by £1m.

Last month the chancellor announced that about £1.2bn of the nationwide £6bn cuts had to come from local government.

John Hart, leader of Devon County Council, said that the council would do its "utmost to protect front-line services for the most vulnerable".

"We will also be seeking the views of all the residents of Devon on what their priorities are for the future and where they think we can make reductions or even stop services."

A spokesperson for Plymouth City Council said that achieving the reductions represented a "significant challenge" but added that it would ensure that local priorities were protected.