I AM writing in response to the letter from Jan Gillett published in last week’s Okehampton Times regarding the Okehampton Arcade.

I totally agree that the arcade is in a sad state and desperately needs cleaning and brightening up. However, this is private property owned by several people and the arcade is run by trustees. Therefore the arcade is outside the jurisdiction of the Okehampton Town Council.

However much the town council may deplore its state and the Chamber of Trade wish to encourage shop owners to make the arcade inviting to residents and visitors, it is in neither organisations power to do anything but request the trustees to take action.

It would also help if shopkeepers in the arcade opened up at the same time as the rest of the town in the morning and recognised that nowadays closing on a Wednesday is an anachronism and does not help us encourage footfall into the town centre.

Additionally, the responsibility for keeping the town streets weed-free and tidy, including emptying the rubbish bins does NOT rest with the town council. It is the responsibility of West Devon Borough Council.

Finally, I do wish people would realise the town council is not to blame for every single thing wrong with the town. The councilors work many hours each week on behalf of us residents and do not receive any financial reward. They invest their time and energy purely out of a sense of civic duty. I thank them for that.

Lyn Evans

Okehampton