SIR — Congratulations to Watchet Town Council on being the first West Somerset parish to be awarded special status and extra funding under the government's "Well Being" scheme (Free Press April 16).
But can Minehead residents be told when our town council which, at £320,000 raises the largest annual precept in West Somerset from its Council Tax payers, will also achieve this status?
Your report points out that Watchet Town Council, with one third of Minehead's precept, had previously been awarded Quality Status in 2006, which is a great credit to the hard work of their clerk and councillors.
You mention that the criteria for these government schemes include the fact that two thirds of the councillors must have faced election at the last polls, 80 per cent must have attended training sessions on the "Power of Well Being", the Clerk must have the appropriate qualifications and that a statement of intent on community engagement must be published.
Can we be told how many of these criteria are met by Minehead Town Council?
Unfortunately, our confidence in its procedures has been dented by he letter from Mary ter Braak, clerk of the Bicknoller Parish Council (Free Press April 2) questioning the legality of the resolution on the alleged 'vendetta' of two ex-councillors, so far unanswered.
So please, can someone tell us when we will belatedly follow the excellent lead of Watchet!
Mrs Rosemary Lawson,
Alexandra Gardens,
Minehead.