It was disappointing to read the excessive coverage given in last week’s Chronicle to the minority opinions of a few curmudgeons concerning the actions of our town council, particularly with regard to council tax and expenditure.

“Council tax will go up every year” is stated with no evidence. This year’s increase in the town precept – about three per cent of council tax – has been explained as providing a reserve to help the taking on responsibility for our parks and gardens.

In future years there may be increases or none, depending on pressures from central government cuts.

“The Guildhall is about half-finished, and we cannot complete it.” All the refurbishment approved by full council will be complete at the end of this month and within budget; the lift and disabled access, professional kitchens, new toilets and a new council chamber.

Arrangements to improved letting of the hall are in motion, although to assume that the hall “will pay for itself” is unrealistic. It is a civil asset providing office space, a place for community meetings and town events.

“ We will be paying twice for the upkeep of our assets”. This is a misunderstanding.

Whereas council taxes for roads, police and fire services are hypothecated – ring-fenced – this is not so for non-statutory services such as parks and gardens. Money previously used for their upkeep will increasingly be taken to provide services such as social care as they become more expensive.

The working group which negotiated with South Hams District Council reported regularly to the full council on progress and showed them projected financial estimates for the take over of our assets.

“The town council is penniless and has no reserves”. For the last three years or more the council has been proactive supporting major projects for the benefit of residents and visitors, rather than squirreling away millions, and has consistently been in surplus at the end of the financial year.

The visitor centre has been saved by the council and now has new directors and management and a promising future.

The Mayflower 400 project is underwritten by the council to enable major national grants to be applied for, and its website is shortly to come online.

Unlike your negative minded contributors, I see that Dartmouth, supported by its town council, has a bright future in years to come.

Cllr Richard Cooke

Market Street

Dartmouth