John Graham, of Woodleigh, Kingsbridge, writes: In seeking to justify South Hams District Council's ­meddling with the AONB unit, Cllr Coulson would have us believe that Defra is about to pull out of funding it. It would be interesting to know who told him that. My information is that for 2015-16 Defra intends to grant a similar amount to that for the current year, although the mechanism will be slightly different. After that neither South Hams Council or Cllr Coulson know any better than I do; but we do have an assurance from the minister responsible: 'Can I say up front that I am fully committed to maintaining AONB grant-in-aid at the highest level my department can afford.' It is highly unlikely that any government would not provide grant aid for landscape management, and it is misleading of the ­council to invoke the possibility. Defra has, however, flagged up the importance in coming years of AONB partnerships using the core grant to lever in other money or assistance. So our unit will need to negotiate with other organisations from a position of expertise and ­autonomy. To be credible it must be able to show a solid record of genuine care for the landscape and the environment. Do your readers think it would be better able to do this as an independent organisation or as an office under the thumb of the council?