BARRY VAUGHAN, of Victoria Road, Dartmouth, writes:

Now that was interesting, a little cluster of three letters in your paper which all were protesting about their local councillors not being heard.

The three upset correspondents, Dr Rawlings of Kingswear, Mr Richards of Salcombe and our own Mr Anstey of Dartmouth, all reveal that they have not been keeping a watchful eye on politics, and for some time too.

What has obviously slipped past their noses, is that the legislation about councils, the 'council act 2000', contains an all important clause which takes away the right, and thus power from ordinary elected local councillors to take part in important decisions, other than those which set the flower arrangements in parks and on roundabouts, as well as having a say in which colour the public toilets ought to be.

The chief executive, which is answerable to Whitehall alone, can over rule any such change or alteration as put forward by the local councillors, as they think fit or are directed to do so by main Government.

So you see, we have 'democratic' elections of local selected councillors, and it all goes through quite properly – like receiving a new car – trouble is, when the bonnet is opened, there is no engine in it!

Our own dear newspaper, the untiring diary of the Dartmouth population's exploits, is constantly reporting no interest in the town council or its activities, sometimes reporting no-one to make up the council. Never short, are the brickbats the town council gets.

So in reality, it is time Dartmouth and others woke up to their deep slough in interest in what is going on about them, and try something other than a moan to a drastically improved newspaper, that also is doing their best to fire your interest. One wonders why they bother to squander such enthusiasm.