Barry Cross, of Bowdens Close, Bovey Tracey, writes:

For the first time in 84 years I have just attended a Teignbridge council meeting. All those present deserve every penny they get for sitting through such a boring occasion.

The first ten minutes were taken up by a question on broadband which it transpires should have been addressed to the county council. For another ten minutes we then had the defence of one councillor against another councillor who apparently had been misunderstood.

We then got to the budget, of which all the councillors present had a copy. Notwithstanding that everybody had a copy, it was deemed necessary for it to be read out page by page. When the speaker referred to page 28 my tolerance level had been reached and I am sorry to say I left.

One point that I remember was that we were told that the garden tax would only affect those with gardens. I applaud this new policy direction as I will no longer have to contribute to schools, as I have no children, retirement homes, social services, bus services as I do not use them.

Could all of the foregoing be put on a subscription service to be paid only by those who use them.