Sir, Perhaps predictably, Penrithians have decided not to have a town council — after all they already have the best and cheapest council delivered services in the district; and indeed of any similar sized community.

Sir, The two news items dominating the front page (Herald, 3rd May), on the financial problems at the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and Penrith’s “no” vote on its own council, are more closely related than might be apparent.

Sir, A draft report on gypsies and travellers in Cumbria (Herald, 19th April) commissioned by the county and district councils and other bodies and carried out by the University of Salford, called for more toilet facilities, particularly at Appleby New Fair.

Sir, I write with great concern and unease at the prospect of a huge housing extension on Carleton’s “green belt” (Herald, 26th April) which is favoured by its residents and walkers and enhances the town’s Beacon Hill on the north east side.

Sir, Here we are again; it only seems like a hundred years ago when the New Squares started off as a bad dream.

Sir, Until more councillors have the courage and commitment to public service to speak out as Mr. Lynch has done (Herald, 26th April), the cynical electorate might be forgiven for believing that the source of the “Penrith pong” may lie elsewhere than Wildriggs.

Sir, My family and I joined in the Grand Orton Litter Pick on Monday, 28th April. About 20 people turned up to help. We found car bits, plastic bags, sweet wrappers and lots of bottles.

Sir, I am conscious that, as one of the few councillors who spoke strongly against the overwhelming consensus in favour of the agreed change from a committee system to a cabinet system at Eden District Council, my comments that started with a defence of retaining the existing level of basic allowance for non-special allowance councillors may be given some publicity. I would like to be given a little space to give my reasons for being against the change.

Sir, The inspector’s rejection of the Hoff Moor wind farm application (Herald, 19th April), coming on the heels of the rejection of the Whinash scheme, accords with stated Government policy and establishes guidance for the future. It also confirms the need for a proper strategy for renewable energy development in Cumbria.

Sir, I do not see why Eden Council should bail out a private developer by changing an agreement over the Penrith New Squares development which was freely entered into.