I share the concerns of your correspondent Paul Reach about the decline of our high streets, Letters, March 9.

He is right to highlight the devastating effect of huge increases in business rates as one of the causes.

But what has South Hams District Council done to help?

Once again it is increasing car parking charges and closing public toilets to try to balance its books to the detriment of our market towns.

As an opposition group on the district council, we tabled an alternative budget.

This included a 10 per cent reduction in our market town car parks and the investment in empty shops in the high streets.

This investment in shops was not about trying to make money but supporting the vitality of our town centres and using accommodation above as much-needed affordable housing.

The Conservative administration refused to debate these proposals.

This is the same administration that voted to merge with West Devon, despite a resounding 85 per cent of local communities saying no.

They were quite happy to support a 40 per cent increase in council tax to bail out West Devon but are not prepared to debate ideas that support our market towns.

We looked to pay for these changes by cutting senior officers at South Hams and use some of the millions of pounds stashed away in reserves.

These reserves are earning next to nothing in interest while they could be used to invest in our local economy.

In the medium term we would introduce a 200 per cent council tax rate on second and holiday homes in the South Hams. This would raise an extra £800,000 a year, more than enough to cover any budget deficit.

There are alternatives to increasing car park charges, closing public toilets and cutting services and many will support our market towns.

We’re not saying we have all the answers but at least debate these issues with us rather than slavishly following the party line.

Our local people and communities deserve better.

Cllr Julian Brazil

South Hams District Council