MINISTERS should declare plans for a local government shake-up in Devon 'dead and buried', says city MP Gary Streeter.

The Tory member for South West Devon Gary Streeter branded the controversial exercise, which would sweep away existing district councils in the county, 'a waste of time and money' and 'a colossal distraction' to local authority bosses.

Communities Secretary John Denham said in reply that the Government was awaiting the outcome of an appeal against a legal ruling which quashed plans for a local government reorganisation in Suffolk.

This has implications for proposals in Devon and Norfolk by delaying the whole process, and throwing the entire long-troubled move into doubt because of the tight timescales involved.

The Tories have pledged that if they win the next General Election they will scrap the plan.

Opponents argue the Government does not have time to get legislation for either a single unitary council in Devon or two, one covering the rural part of the county while Exeter and Exmouth go it alone. Both Plymouth and Torbay are unaffected.

Tackling the Cabinet minister in the Commons, Mr Streeter said: "Given that the local government review in Devon has been a complete waste of time and money from the very start and is a colossal distraction to senior officers in all the district councils throughout Devon, and that the uncertainty continues, will the Secretary of State please now confirm that, just six months away from a general election, this LGR (Local Government Reorganisation) is dead and buried?"

Responding, Mr Denham said: "We are awaiting the result of the boundary committee appeal hearing. Once that is received, Ministers will be able to proceed, as we would have done previously, to take an appropriate decision."