AS the local county councillor, I am on record as supporting the Ockment Centre and users, and doing all I can to ensure its future. I was at a public meeting last Wednesday where the following statement was made by a senior Devon County Council officer: 1: We understand that the children?s centre is not the central challenge facing the trustees of the Ockment Centre. 2: I have spoken with the chair of the trustees last night and re-affirmed the county council?s position, which is to be very concerned about the challenges facing the trustees and that we, Devon County Council, are very serious about wanting to help them meet the challenge. 3: Assessments of maintenance costs and future options need to be discussed between Devon County Council and the trustees, perhaps involving other stakeholders, with the aim of helping the trustees achieve a viable and long-term business plan. It is clear to me that Devon County Council is looking to find a realistic solution and will be meeting the trustees soon. Although no date has been set Devon County Council are aware of the urgency. I have been contacted by various organisations and people that use the centre, I have heard their concerns for the future and passed them on to Devon County Council chief executive. Beyond that, I think we all need to await the outcome of those discussions to see what, if any, alternative action needs to be considered. Councillor Christine Marsh TONY Leech?s letter (October 18) says the campaign to save the Ockment Centre is ?across party?. In that spirit, along with the others he thanked, he might have also acknowledged that Conservative Councillor Christine Marsh and Mel Stride (the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate) have also lent their vigorous support to this campaign. I am sure no one in our town wants to see the demise of the Ockment Centre. Gerald Roy Jones Ryan Court Station Road Okehampton
