Devon County Council’s decision to try to stop Exeter getting control of its own affairs is a staggering waste of local people’s money.

After the huge sums Devon has already wasted on its own bid for unitary status, which it then withdrew, blowing yet more public money trying to thwart democracy in Exeter is little short of scandalous.

The Tories who run Devon pay lip service to local democracy and devolving power - but not when it comes to one of Englands great historic cities, it would seem!

I am very fond of Anthony Steen, even though he’s a Tory.

He is a non tribal pre-Thatcherite Conservative who spent much of his early political life championing the causes of the poor, particularly bad housing.

He also shows a refreshing disregard for what the media will make of his public pronouncements.

They are usually entertaining and often endearing. He is one of those few MPs whom members from all sides of the Commons listen to - because he always comes up with something unexpected and often hilarious.

But on this occasion, Anthony, I wish you’d thought before you spoke!

To suggest Devon or Torbay might become no-go areas because of swine flu is completely unnecessary and potentially very damaging.

We all remember the harm that was done to the South West economy by the over-reaction to foot and mouth.

We have learned the lessons since then. There are meticulously drawn up contingency plans about what to do at every stage of a particular pandemic.

There is no reason to do anything other than what is currently advised on being vigilant, containing sneezes, hand washing and travelling to Mexico.

So get out, enjoy the fine bank holiday weather and make a point of visiting Devon and experiencing the beauty we have to offer.

It’s good news the NHS in Devon is reviewing the way it allocates long term care packages.

This was prompted by concerns raised in the Express and Echo about a number of people who had been told they would be having their funding withdrawn.

The struck me as particularly odd, as, one of the great unremarked upon stories of the last couple of years has been the big increase in the number of people receiving this kind of help.

The number in Devon has doubled thanks to a big increase in Government funding and the Government publishing new, more permissive guidance on the qualifying criteria.