I WAS pleased to read of the high standard of education received by the children at St Rumon's School (Letters, Ms Susan Miller and MrsGareth Dempster, October 20).

This excellent news shows that teachers at this highly regarded school achieve a laudable level of professional attainment, despite having no designated parking spaces; (such was the situation many years ago when two of my own sons attended St Rumon's — a good education and a lack of parking spaces for staff).

In this, of course, they are in a similar position to the great majority of people working in Tavistock, also performing jobs of importance to most aspects of the community, commercial and business life of the town. There is a solution, though; they could purchase a season ticket for a space in of the town's long-stay car parks.

As to Mr Dempster's comments that voters should have long memories when I — and, presumably, all candidates — come banging on their doors seeking support at the polls, he is absolutely correct. Electors should certainly recall councillors' performances throughout their period of office, then judge accordingly; this is democracy.

With such in mind, it could be argued that most council tax payers would be highly unimpressed if their elected representatives used, in effect, public money to subsidise free parking for a small section of Tavistock's workforce; indeed, it is probable the District Auditor would look most unfavourably at any authority that squandered public money in such a way.

Finally, it should be reiterated that the police, who do have a few designated parking spaces in the Guildhall Car Park, have them because they are an emergency service and their station, historically, is situated adjoining. The public purse is not adversely affected, however, as the police authority has always paid for these spaces.

Cllr Ted Sherrell

Tavistock