Recent correspondence has raised important questions about the state of Kingswear Parish’s finances.

Accounts are notoriously ­difficult to analyse, but I call on Cllr Edward Jones, who chairs the finance committee, to explain why, based on figures in the public domain, Kingswear’s staff costs are so high.

If the four major South Hams towns and the two parishes with the highest staff costs – Kingswear and Newton & Noss Mayo – are excluded, the charge to South Hams residents for staffing comparable parish councils is around £4.46 per annum. Kingswear residents are charged £22.52.

A comprehensive and ­comprehensible report on the accounts would be appreciated.

Dr Richard Rawlins

Beacon Road, Kingswear