Cllr Stephen Smith, Townstal ward, writes:

I am writing in response to Martin Mcgowan-Scanlon’s ­letter, Chronicle, January 29, to assure him and the 507 who voted for me in the May 2015 parish council election that there is a set procedure at ­council meetings.

When councillors are asked to ratify the minutes of subcommittee meetings as being true and accurate, you cannot ratify them if you did not attend them, so you abstain.

As I was not able to attend any subcommittee meetings the previous month through work and other community engagements, he is correct that I abstained on all. I note his ­comments on my naming of Millionaires’ Row, which I have had more public support on, including the majority of Dartmouth Town Council at that time, than those against.

I agree with the comment that builders need to make a profit, that is business sense, but on affordable housing we need to engage with the present social housing groups, such as DCH, to invest in our community.

And finally, I would stand down as a councillor to make way for Kevin Pyne to jump on board.