I refer to Charles Letchford's comments in his letter (December 23) suggesting that 'democracy has ceased to exist' at county and borough levels of local government. With the borough council facing elections of all members in less than four months time this seems to be a somewhat strange observation.

With regard to Mr Letchford's comments regarding parking arrangements in our market towns, I would also point out that it is not just Okehampton's and Tavistock's residents views that should be taken into account on this issue. This arguably has more impact on local people who live in the surrounding villages and rural areas who rely on all the services and facilities provided in our market towns.

As for the apparent views of local residents views on the proposals outlined in the core strategy the above argument is equally relevant. I would add that those people who apparently all oppose the proposed developments in and around our market towns may find it more difficult to address the following two issues:

Do we want to ensure that our current planning will provide for sufficient housing being made available for future generations?

Assuming most people would support this premise; do we accept that a reasonable proportion of these houses — in the region of 78% — should be made available in and around our market towns?

In addressing these two issues we may find a much more diverse view as to local residents' views on the longer term developments within the borough.

Robin Musgrave

West Devon Borough Council ward member for the Bere Peninsula

CONGRATULATIONS to Charles Letchford for his letter. He so clearly pinpoints the lack of democracy in local government at county and borough level.

I do not think the politicising of local councils has helped this. The various political groups have to support their party even though the local member may be against the 'party' line but must vote for it or risk deselection at the next election.

Recent issues such as parking meters and the core strategy have been imposed on us voters even though the vast majority are against both.

This is a very important debate and I hope that voters will continue it in your columns and when they get the opportunity to vote next May. 

John Leonard

Bridestowe

MR Letchford, in criticising the reforms of Edward Heath's 1970 Government, fails to recognise that that Government correctly identified the financial reality facing small borough councils, many with populations of less than 5,000.

Providing key services, such as refuse collection, environmental protection and running a development control service on such a scale with the vast explosion in the use and cost of ICT would not be viable.

Increasingly, the public are challenging our nation's long standing system of representative government but we all have the chance of electing those who make their decisions on our behalf, be it at town, district, county or national level. It is also so easy to forget that those who bravely choose to serve us are increasingly unlikely to have easy or popular choices to make.

Years of underfunding of local government in Devon and the high cost of providing services in under populated area such as West Devon can only result in our councillors having to make choices they would prefer not to have to make.

David Incoll

Buckland Monachorum