SIR — I would appreciate the opportunity to comment on the withdrawal of the county council from key aspects of the market site development, in effect meaning that the district council offices will no longer be built on this site and that the library will no longer be accommodated in them. That the market will be able to move back now, if only whilst its future and impact on the town's economy can be more properly considered, will be a relief for many small businesses in the town. I would like especially to pay tribute to the members of DIRECT and before them the members of the PLUS organisation, most of whom are now part of the former group. I believe that without the hard work, persistence and sheer professionalism of the members, these disastrous plans would have gone through largely unopposed. It seems invidious to mention names, but the inspiring chairmanship and enthusiasm of Graham Sizer deserves special recognition, as do the brilliant analytical skills and tireless labour of Jess and Naomi Griffiths in ruthlessly dissecting and exposing the grievous flaws in hitherto unchallenged consultants' reports and strategy documents. Their work will mean it will be a very long time before people see consultants' reports in quite the same way. Finally, a large vote of thanks should go to James Main, who inaugurated the public meetings which gave rise to both organisations. Where to go from here? Well, given past experience, it would be a very foolish local authority which, on behalf of us all, proceeded to build on this site without being in partnership with the people of Minehead and Alcombe. How and when this will happen has yet to be determined, but we do urgently need the boost to our local economy that the appropriate development of this site would bring. Though I have not yet approached our local schools, their participation in the development of ideas for the site could give the children an increased stake in their home town. Lastly, three of the four contestants in the recent county council elections stood on a platform of opposition to the district council's 'key sites plans' and garnered over 75 per cent of the votes. Whilst deeply grateful to those who voted for me, I should like people to be assured that it is my intention to serve everybody equally and in that spirit I hope people will feel free to approach me in the expectation of my assistance from whatever party and none. Also I am grateful for good ideas, whatever their source. Ian Galloway, County Councillor for Minehead.