CLLR Smith in your letters page last week says I misunderstood the article about the town council's views on the proposed bid for funds for Tavistock's Conservation Area.
I am sorry if I failed to appreciate the context of his remarks. But he misunderstood me if he thought I was criticising the town council's record in caring for their own historic buildings and protecting the town centre from vandal developers.
I offered no criticism, but I recognise this is a big job that requires constant vigilance, and there is much more to do to preserve the look of, for example, Bannawell Street, or the old Abbey walls along the river.
The Councillor also misunderstood me if he thought I was suggesting the town council had no right to decide its own policies. I have been around long enough to know it is autonomous, as are all members of the partnership committee.
Our committee's function is to bring the local authorities and community organisations together to share experience and attitudes, and then to agree on advice to our member bodies in the everlasting search for funds to preserve and develop our town. This really does call for trust between the partners and means that everyone must speak frankly and listen carefully to others round the table before adopting a formal position. There has to be lots of give and take, and the patient arguing through of the key issues, but I am sure it is worth the effort.
When I first came to Tavistock, I was amazed and disappointed at the lack of joint working between town and borough councils and the town's community bodies. The most successful towns co-operate much more closely than we do.
Tavistock does not deserve the accolade of Best Market Town and all that, unless those of us who speak for the community are prepared to put our heads together, pool our knowledge, share ideas and work together to benefit the town.
Dick Eberlie
Chairman of the partnership committee