IN response to your front page article 'Sitting on the fence?' ( January 15):

Readers may be interested in the following facts and may see why Tavistock Town Council are actually being responsible in their actions in shelving the proposed Pixon Lane Car Park.

The total estimated cost for the Pixon Lane Car park for all grading, clearing, drainage, utilities, surfacing, marking, lighting and the ticket machines is approximately £700,000 plus.

At a better than 50% occupancy and charging a rate of £2.75 per day, the council would possibly break even. Charging less than £2.75 would mean that the council would need to subsidise Pixon Lane. This was not seen as viable as the existing Bedford and Abbey Rise car parks are nearer to town and rarely reach full capacity.

The town council is in an unusual position where it has the responsibility of being custodians of a property portfolio which on the open market was recently estimated at being worth £9,154,780.

Almost all the properties are either Scheduled, Listed, or in a Conservation Area, consequently incurring the higher maintenance costs, £6,056 month on month over the last two years.

There are about 30 businesses which rely on the council for accommodation, plus users of the council-owned pannier market.

The council employs 17 full time, ten part time staff, plus there is a 'Bank' of casual staff who are employed for the town hall.

In essence, Tavistock Town Council has responsibilities and a duty to the public, employees, tenants and the buildings.

Business planning is integrated with financial planning, the council has to determine affordability, assess sustainability and balance the impact on the residents of Tavistock.

Pixon Lane Car Park and other large capital projects will remain shelved until it is right to go ahead and spend tax payers' money.

To conclude: Tavistock Town Council sitting on the fence? No, Councillor Connelly, Tavistock Town Council is standing up and facing financial reality!

Debo Sellis

Chairman

Properties Committee

Tavistock Town Council