Michael Pithouse wants to initiate a Parish Poll to encourage a more efficient running of Tavistock Town Council (Times, September 5).
This is a worthy aim, but Mr. Pithouse may not be aware that since his time on the Town Council, the Council has had to undertake 'Best Value' reviews to a format laid down by central government.
The aim is to identify ways of achieving efficiencies.
These reviews involve 'critical friends' who are members of the public with appropriate expertise who give their time on a voluntary basis.
To date, Tavistock Town Council has completed 'Best Value' reviews on play parks, the town hall, cemeteries, the pannier market, democratic processes and council management and administration and is taking action on most of the recommendations made in these reviews. The documents are available to the public.
We are currently reviewing the key area of Commercial Properties with a report due in the spring.
Cllr Peter Donkin
Chair of properties committee,
Tavistock Town Council