Cllr Julian Brazil, of East Prawle, near Kingsbridge, writes:

I would like to concur completely with your correspondent Sally Watts on the benefits Villages in Action has brought to our rural communities. I cannot think of any other organisation that brings as much joy, enthusiasm and vitality to many of our villages in the South Hams.

It is a great disappointment that South Hams Council has decided to cut its support.

Before the decision for the cut was made at full council, the proposals were debated at an earlier meeting.

At that meeting, there was an almost unanimous vote to continue to support Villages in Action. However, when it came to vote at the full council, councillors who two weeks earlier had supported VIA suddenly changed their minds and voted for the cut.

How pathetic that councillors elected to represent their local communities are more concerned with toeing the party line than doing what local people want. The council wastes £1000's on pointless meetings so it can tick the box 'community consultation' when it's not even prepared to listen to its own elected members.

We have the same scenario with the proposed introduction of new car parking charges at South Brent, Aveton Gifford and Beesands.

Once again the council is 'consulting' with local communities. How refreshing it would be if they actually listened and the councillors had the bottle to tell the suits at Follaton what to do rather than vice versa.