SIR — It is reassuring to learn that at least one Minehead town councillor was not prepared to commit the council to new annual expenditure without first ensuring the preservation of existing assets and services (Your Letters October 7).

Before the council agreed to fund the maintenance of a clock tower which has yet to be built, I wrote to all councillors requesting that this decision be deferred.

I reminded them of community concerns that services will be lost as a result of cost-cutting by West Somerset Council.

It is clear that some of these services and their ongoing costs are destined to be delegated to Minehead Town Council.

As the financial impact of these delegated services is not yet known, I asked councillors to consult the community on current, delegated and new services in order to establish clear priorities for future provision by the town council.

There is no evidence of any consultation to demonstrate community support for the erection and maintenance of the clock tower. Indeed, I am aware that the proposal is somewhat divisive.

Therefore, it is surprising that the mayor has donated £250 towards the project from an "allowance" funded by Council Tax payers.

Other local organisations seeking town council funding are required to submit formal grant applications explaining how the community will benefit from their proposals. 

Perhaps the mayor and councillors who have committed local taxpayers to annual maintenance payments of at least £500 could explain to the community why the clock tower has been prioritised over the other projects and services competing for town council funding.

Jenny Lennon-Wood,

Periton Lnae,

Minehead.