Richard Cooke, Dartmouth Town Council Clifton ward candidate, writes:

Dartmouth Town Council has, over the years, played a full and important role in the success of the town, for residents and visitors alike.

Many of its original powers were lost to South Hams in the 1970s, and I think many electors are not aware of this.

As a result, the council often receives a bad press for not acting on issues over which it has little or no control.

When it was announced that Paul Reach had resigned as councillor for Clifton ward, thus creating a vacancy, there seemed little interest in filling it among my neighbours in Clifton.

Again no election would be held, and the council would simply co-opt anyone they liked. As a result, I collected the names of 10 electors and triggered the election we are due on May 3. Unless the electorate are fully engaged in local politics, our right to be represented locally will be lost. In many ways local councils have more effect on our everyday lives than central government.

Vote on May 3 and have a say in how your town is run.