WHEN I joined Crediton Town Council in 1991, the precept (money raised direct from the public) was £27,000, and we employed one clerk only. Admittedly this was a few thousand lower than it should have been.

Contrast this with the current £450,000, and eight employees.

Now I appreciate that four of these employees, plus a fair bit of the precept, work on and is spent on “youth matters”.

These matters used to be the responsibility of Devon County Council (DCC). Similarly the provision and upkeep of public lavatories used to be down to Mid Devon District Council (MDDC).

Also, I am well aware that there has been a fair bit of inflation, especially of late.

What has happened over the years is that the “senior” Councils (DCC and MDDC) have said to Kirtonians: “We’re no longer going to pay for this and this.

“Your (Crediton Town Council) precept has not been capped by the Government as ours have, so if you continue with current services/facilities, you’ll have to pay for them yourselves.”

I think this is a fairly sneaky way of funding local facilities and services, and it is not widely understood by the general public.

Please note, I am NOT blaming the Town Council, just the other two.

The main points I am trying to make are:

• Councils should not be able to shed their responsibilities in this way

• I do not think that provision of youth services should be undertaken by the Town Council but by DCC.

The Town Council says that it does many more things than heretofore - I dispute this.

Clearly some Councillors (eg Cllr Szabo) are concerned about this precept inflation, and believe that the Town Council should be a little more careful with YOUR money.

Bob Edwards

Former District and Town Councillor, and Mayor