The current neglect of Dartmouth’s parks and gardens is well described in your report last week, in contrast to your correspondent’s attack on the town council’s efforts to take over responsibility for their care in future years, Letters, July 14.

After many months of negotiations, a business plan and the advice of our solicitors, the council hopes that it will soon be possible to confirm the arrangements to return these “jewels” to the town’s care.

Inevitably, as with most things in life, this involves some risk, but the alternative is to let our environment deteriorate further. The volunteers from Dartmouth Green Partnerships have done their best to provide the town with such floral displays as we have this year and are to be thanked for this.

Hopefully, however, next year, together with ground staff employed by our town council, we can return our town to its former glory, in the face of central government cuts.

Open green spaces are of benefit to all, rich and poor, and must be maintained at all costs.

Where there is a will there is a way to achieve this.

Cllr Richard Cooke

Mayor of Dartmouth