IT was nice to see the photograph in the Times last week, showing that the bus shelter in Mary Tavy had at long last been repaired and redecorated. 

Time and time again people complain that councils can't get their acts together and accomplish small projects of benefit to their communities.

What was missing from this good news story was the fact that a village charity, the Mary Tavy Jubilee Group, had offered — almost a year ago — to repair and redecorate the bus shelter and also to erect a new shelter at another bus stop in the village, both projects being at absolutely no cost to the parish or county. 

Yet despite this being a 'no brainer', the parish council refused both offers, even though at that time they hadn't even discussed or been aware of the current shelter's poor condition. 

They chose instead to seek £500 of public money from Devon County Council.

It's not hard to see why so many people have little faith in a council ever doing the right thing.

 The Mary Tavy Jubilee Group