Geraldine Gaskell, of Newton Abbot, writes:

I believe that councils whether it’s district, town, parish or county, should only allow councillors to serve a maximum term of 12 years – that’s three terms of office.

I have heard the complaint so many times that possible new blood will not stand for council even though they want to because so and so or such and such are still standing so they won’t have a chance, many having been there for years and years.

I have also heard the boast from some long-term councillors that they don’t have to worry about elections as they’ll get in automatically because no one will stand against them.

That is all wrong. Every council needs new blood – people who will bring new ideas to the table.