HAVING received the 2015/16 council tax bill in the post last week, I note that yet again it is a year of increases for less services. While it is well documented about cuts to county and borough council services, along with the police and fire service, what is not forthcoming is why Tavistock Town Council is demanding an increase of 3.8% from residents? The town council precept is to increase by £21,438 year on year, however, there is no explanation as to why this is. Last year, the council purchased the Guildhall and associated buildings in the square and 1 and 2 Market Road. We now see a second application being made to the Heritage Lottery Fund for funding to turn the Guildhall into a one stop shop and gateway to the World Heritage Site museum. What happens if this bid fails? Who will pay for the staffing, ongoing running costs and upkeep of these buildings in the near future? One look at the former auction rooms, now used by the council maintenance team, or the rear of council-owned flats in Duke Street, shows how the council is struggling to keep what they already have in their care in a good state of repair. I have spoken to councillors about the council tax increase, only to be met by the response that I need to speak to the town clerk. As a council tax payer, I shouldn't have to do this, we should be informed at the time of the production of the bill. I did try to find further information via the town council website but this is hopelessly out of date with no minutes for recent meetings (not that minutes contain much information) and the last set of accounts posted online was the annual report for 2011! In less than two months' time, we will go to the polls in Tavistock to elect councillors to represent the residents of the town. I hope that those standing will think about how they will promote a fair, open and transparent council as this seems to be lacking at this present time. Gareth Dempster Tavistock