MAY I alert the 90% of householders not in receipt of the current ?Leisure and Recreational Survey? from West Devon Borough Council as to its content and possible consequences? The survey consists of seven pages of approximately 212 questions in six sections covering, among many other leisure categories, housework, dancing, and kite flying! I regard the survey as unacceptably intrusive. I appreciate the worthy intentions but consider its scope as well beyond the remit of a borough council. Moreover, I suspect its real purpose is revealed in question. 16, relating to Meadowlands swimming pool ?Would you? it asks, ?be prepared to pay more council tax to provide an additional ?fitness suite? dance/aerobics studio? or creche?? In light of West Devon?s recent campaign to close public toilets in outlying village, this would show a peculiar and possibly improper order of priorities on the part of some of our councillors. Let those who would like the luxuries itemised above pay the full and sole costs themselves as we in Bere Alston are having to fund our public lavatory. I contacted the council and was informed that the survey had been delivered to 10% of the 25,000 households in West Devon and that a minimum 50% return would be required to ensure statistical viability. If just over 50% of the returns approve this extra expenditure, will the council feel justified in raising the council tax of 25,000 households in the interests of as few as 1,300? It was put to me that developers could be persuaded to part-fund such facilities as a condition of planning permission. But to pay only 50% of the capital cost of something most of us might think of as unnecessary is not ?good value?. As a borough, we are then left with the running costs. It was further put to me that West Devon is a ?low spending? authority. Then let us remain so. I have been promised a copy of the results of this survey and I would encourage anyone similarly concerned to see they are similarly served. The expense involved in the preparation and analysis of this survey will be burden enough, never mind its sheer insensitivity so close to the declaration of the new council tax rate. If it does lead to further increases in the future then I hope I will not be alone in challenging such expenditure as vigorously as I can. Brian Martin Bere Alston
