DR RICHARD RAWLINS, of Beacon Road, Kingswear, writes:

I am astounded that South Hams Council leader Cllr John Tucker has said the headline South Hams ‘no longer fit for purpose, Chronicle, May 13, came as a shock to him. He was quoted as saying, Chronicle, May 20: ‘It is simply not true to say that Dartmouth is badly served by the district council. I was astonished to hear this.’

Where has he been? Have district councillors Jonathan Hawkins and Hilary Bastone, who regularly attend town council meetings, not properly briefed him?

Has he forgotten the many questions which were raised by Kingswear residents about the performance of officers in the matter of the Kingswear station office block development?

Has he forgotten that he failed to accede to residents’ requests that he inquire into South Hams Council officers’ decision making and hold them to account?

It was his failure to respond to the requests that led to a referral of South Hams Council to the Local Govern­ment Ombuds­­man.

Being a councillor is easy. Do all you can to do, as your constituents want, and if in all good conscience you cannot, openly explain why not.

Being the leader is easier still – simply ensure officers follow policies and that councillors follow constituents’ wishes, or explain if they cannot do so.

If that means taking up cudgels with the Government, then so be it.

District councillors, including the leader, should be accountable to constituents, not political parties.