Pippa Woods, of Aveton Gifford, Kingsbridge, wrties:

What is becoming of democracy? The paper recently reported that the size of the district council may be reduced from 40 to 30. This may result in 'streamlined decision making' - presumably as there would then be less discussion before making decisions? Further: 'the decision on council size will be made on December 11 and a public consultation is due to begin on January 8, 2013'. If the decision has already been made, what will then be the subject of the public consultation?

In 'the good old days' our rural council had one member per parish. He/she had a fair knowledge of the parish and attended its council meetings. How, now, is one person to understand the complex problems of six parishes in any detail, let alone spend up to six evenings a month at parish council meetings?

Progress is a funny thing. It does not usually strengthen democratic processes..