IN 1974 Crediton Urban District Council was abolished and became part of Tiverton District Council.

In 1978 this was renamed as Mid Devon District Council.

It is since 1974, that the people of Crediton and its rural parishes have felt that they were often overlooked by the council that met at Tiverton.

People of these parishes often expressed their concerns to Town and Parish councillors, that Tiverton always came first and Crediton's needs were not met.

A good example of this is Crediton Town Centre Masterplan (2024) which was drawn up at great expense recommending a lot of improvements in Crediton, but none have been started under the current Lib Dem administration at MDDC.

It was very sad to read the letter in the July 23 Crediton Courier, written by two Lib Dem County Councillors, who seemed by their comments very negative about the Labour Government's Local Government Reorganisation plans that will make Crediton, Crediton Hamlets, Newton St Cyres, Colebrooke, Hittisleigh and Cheriton Bishop part of Exeter Unitary Authority.

All of these five parishes I represent at Mid Devon District Council as their Conservative councillor for Yeo Ward.

I have always got the impression from many of my parishioners that they would be happier to be part of Exeter, an economically and culturally diverse city.

So many of them either work in Exeter, shop there, go there for leisure activities.

I am sure that Exeter feels to them, geographically, culturally and economically closer than Tiverton.

I feel Crediton's future looks better to me as part of Exeter's Unitary Authority with ONE council who will be responsible for all resident's local government needs.

The ruling group at Devon County Council and Mid Devon District Council are considering challenging the Government's ruling.

I hope you all let them know your feelings about the reorganisation, whatever they may be.

Cllr Martin Binks

Yeo Ward

Mid Devon District Council