MAY is a very exciting month for all councillors. At the beginning of the month chairs are chosen for the councils and committees.

In Devon County Council we welcomed Percy Prowse as the new chairman. He is county councillor for the Pennsylvania area of Exeter.

He is a retired policeman and a very engaging man to talk to.

For his year as Chairman he will focus on young people, youth development, education and children in care.

At the county's annual meeting it was comforting to learn that I'm not the only councillor who is hounded by residents who are naturally annoyed at the state of the roads.

It seems that potholes are everywhere in Devon. As a consequence of this a question was asked about damage claims.

This year, up until May 14, there were 286 damage claims which cost the county £9,133!

The question of 20mph speed limits was also raised. Six areas in the county now have these restrictions in place and the Cabinet is using £150,000 in order to look at a further survey throughout the County.

They want to consider the effectiveness of introducing the 20mph scheme on driver behaviour because it does cost money.

There were also great changes at town and district level with elections on May 4.

Mid Devon District Council saw the greatest change where the Liberal Democrats gained 33 of the 42 seats and so now have a very large majority. As a result of this I was elected chairman of Mid Devon District Council.

I am naturally delighted to have been elected to the position and have already produced a sort of “Chairman's manifesto” where I hope to promote the profile of mid Devon.

The low turnout for the local elections seemed to show public apathy and lack of interest in what goes on at parish, town and district level.

People seem to forget that councillors decide on how to spend the council taxes paid for by residents.

As chairman I hope to do something about this.

I aim to get to talk to as many local community groups as possible and to go into our local schools both primary and secondary.

We must remember that the young in secondary school will soon be able to vote and so I want them to be aware of this responsibility and to use the power of their vote, a right that has been achieved with many painful protests in the distant past.

If you have any contact with clubs, community groups or schools and think that they would benefit from a talk about my “Chairman's manifesto”, then do please contact me.

Cllr Frank Letch MBE

County Councillor for Crediton Rural