IF the rumour, as stated in Mr Mathew's letter (February 10) that West Devon Borough Council intends to stop being a committee-led council and change to an executive-led council proves true then that will be the final nail in the coffin of local government democracy in West Devon.

Every point that Mr Mathew makes against executive-led councils is valid. Such councils are an insult to democracy.

If West Devon councillor's are considering such a change they should first ask themselves what mandate do they have to do so. A change from a committee-led council to an executive-led council did not feature in any candidate's pre-election statement prior to the 2007 elections, nor was it mentioned in any of the party manifestos that many candidates stood under. The public has not been consulted on the matter so where is the mandate for change?

If West Devon councillors wish to make this change then the honourable course to take would be to wait until the elections in May, state their intentions in their pre-election statement of party manifestos and let the electorate decide.

At the moment Mr Mathew is also correct when he states that once a council has adopted the Executive Model there is no way to opt out of it. However, that is about to change.

Under the Localism Bill currently passing through Parliament there is provision for a local authority to revert from an executive-led council back to a committee-led council. If the local authority is unwilling to do that the Localism Bill will also give people the power to instigate a local referendum on the issue.

If West Devon councillors are considering changing the council's constitution to permit an executive-led council it would be prudent of them to keep the Localism Bill in mind.

In the meantime, if electors wish to forestall any possibility of an undemocratic, executive-led council being imposed on West Devon then make your objections known as strongly as possible to your local councillor or councillors. The Devon County Council policy of imposing parking meters on Okehampton and Tavistock is a classic example of how executive-led councils behave. Do we really want that sort of council in West Devon?

Charles Letchford

Vicarage Road

Okehampton