I OBVIOUSLY am not in a position to categorise the priorities of Okehampton Town Council but I would think that one is entitled to express the view that the monies that come from the agreement resulting from the placement of the Waitrose store were intended to be used for the benefit of the community in a practical and tangible way.

Cllr Letchford was perfectly correct in saying that a lot of the income that resulted in this largesse came as a result of spending by residents of the Hamlets and beyond, and so it is probably Waitrose?s wish (if it could be determined) to see such spent on a project that can be identified as coming from them for the whole community.

The maintenance of property is something for the town council to support from the precept and if the buildings are in poor repair then it should be paid from that.

What if West Devon Borough Council decided to use their part to subsidise the salary of the chief executive rather than contribute towards ongoing expenditure with the new sports centre!

If they are looking for a deserving pot as they are choosing to ?kick-out? the farmers? market from the Charter Hall then they could buy some suitable canopies for use in Red Lion Yard by both them and maybe any other organisation who had a purpose like that.

Derek Godfrey-Brown

Larkbeare

Okehampton

OKEHAMPTON Town Council seem to be undecided on how their money should be spent.

In my view, and probably many others, a lot of money has been wasted.

We read and see nearly every week of all the stupid and costly vandalism caused by the drunks or yobbos of the town.

Why not install with this windfall CCTV surveillance cameras throughout our town?

Catch and punish these louts causing all this trouble and make Okehampton a safe and enjoyable town to be proud of.

Shop owners should not have to pay to have this installed.

Money I think well spent.

Derek Ellis

North Street, Okehampton

OKEHAMPTON town councillors should not spend the windfall on more ?enhancements? ? oh, please, not more enhancements! Let?s get the traffic sorted out.

Since the arrival of two new supermarkets and the street enhancements, the traffic has been a nightmare.

It took me half an hour to get from Belstone to the swimming pool. It was a Thursday and 11am.

Between half past eight and eleven o?clock most days of the week I can get to Sainsbury?s in Exeter in half an hour and the petrol is so cheap there it doesn?t cost me much more..

So far I think councils have made all the wrong decisions. The by-pass was put on the wrong side of Okehampton, no access to the North without going right through Okehampton town centre. Hatherleigh, Exbourne, Sampford Courtney, North Tawton, Winkleigh, Bideford, Barnstaple, the list is endless.

Also the three supermarkets in town, I see the council?s reasoning, but the river means we have only one route to take. The pavement enhancement means traffic is cramped and ten minute shoppers forced to use the supermarket carparks for a quick nip into a chemist or newsagent.

Please put the windfall towards a route to the north, a new bridge or some sort of one-way route for cars. Surely something could be done that would bring even more people to Okehampton and make it a pleasure to shop there not a nightmare.

Julia Kuhn

Belstone

THE article, Town split on windfall spending brought some amusement and a little disappointment.

The scene at the full Okehampton Town Council meeting depicted a family squabble over an unexpected lottery win. The desire to make good past neglect for elderly relatives apparently failed to recognise the plight of a much younger relative, sat all too quietly in the corner.

Although I have not lived in Okehampton for many years I would like to put a cat among the pigeons. Why is no-one apparently concerned about the plight of the district hospital? This building has been valued by many and raised through the commitment of the people both in and around the town.

It is now in danger of being lost and its sale could leave the East Street Surgery with ten car spaces - a move that could have disastrous consequences. This much loved building deserves better, but urgent action is now required.

There can be little doubt that Okehampton could benefit from an accessible well-being centre for young and old alike. As public services are slowly withdrawn and those that remain cost more and more there is a last opportunity to secure the district hospital and place it in a charitable trust for the benefit of all.

Halwill Junction successfully bought its own hospital within nine months from acceptance of tender. Surely Okehampton could see the sense of such a move and keep a sound community asset.

Age Concern has the expertise and can draw on the tendering, planning, budgeting and fundraising work it contributed to the Winsford Trust project.

It is to be hoped the mayor in calling for the councillors to think wisely can help to widen the scope of the current considerations beyond the present proposals.

Why not hold a restoration event where the people of the town could vote on their favourite project? Such a move could raise the attendances at council meetings by providing an element of real public involvement and interest in the life of the town.

The Rev Barrie Duke

Age Concern Okehampton and Torridge