Letter HE - Steen's comments on Brookham closure

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 26th May 2004

Dear Editor,

The news of job losses at Bookham and Uniq make it a very sad week for the economy of South Devon and we must do everything possible to help those made redundant find alternative employment and re-build their lives.

I am a little at a loss to understand Anthony Steen's logic in partially blaming the situation on Torbay Council ( Herald Express 25th. May). Whatever the arguments about the increase in Council Tax and capping, the fact is that Council Tax in Torbay is the second lowest in Devon and lower than the neighbouring South Hams and Teignbridge Councils. If one follows Mr. Steen's argument that employers need to be in low Council Tax areas so that their employees can be paid less, then surely Torbay is the most business friendly Council in the area and the place to be.

Yours sincerely,

Mike Treleaven

(Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Totnes Constituency)

Staunton Lodge

Embankment Road

Kingsbridge

TQ7 1JZ Tel: 01548 854542