THE Devon Heartlands Local Community Forum and the way it brings parts of the community together has been highlighted by the highly respected Carnegie UK Trust.

In the trust's rural manifesto, which was launched in London last week, it held up Devon Heartlands as an example of how it supports the aim of helping local people to become involved in shaping their community.

In addition to the work with the Carnegie UK Trust, Devon Heartlands is also taking part in a pilot study led by Devon County Council, West Devon Borough Council, Okehampton Town Council and Devon and Cornwall Police Authority to explore how best to empower local people to become involved.

Philip Wagstaff, chairman of the Devon Heartlands Community Forum, said: 'The forum is an excellent way in which local people can meet and engage with representatives of the agencies and local authorities.

'A good example of this is how members of the forum have explored aspects of development planned for Okehampton by holding a special forum meeting to discuss the suitability of employment and housing land proposed within the West Devon Core Strategy.'

The strategy sets out potential future development for West Devon and forum members felt that the consultation process had not adequately reflected local opinion and that further consultation and involvement in these important decisions was essential.

A further meeting had been arranged for November 18 at which West Devon's principal planning officer is due to attend.

Mr Wagstaff said: 'It was important that the community had the opportunity to influence development and that the community forum offered a way in which the local authority and the community could work together on this kind of issue and that the forum was grateful for the time given by officers and elected members to meet with forum members.'

If you would like to know more about Devon Heartlands and the Local Community Forum contact Ewen Rae on 01837 659991 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected] or go along to any forum meeting — they are free, open and friendly and held between 2pm and 4pm on the first Wednesday of each month at the Ockment Centre, North Street, Okehampton.