I WISH to back the call by Richard Tucker for many more services to be delegated to Weston Town Council. I have asked the town clerk to

I WISH to back the call by Richard Tucker for many more services to be delegated to Weston Town Council. I have asked the town clerk to investigate which contracts the town council could bid for on a commercial basis from North Somerset.North Somerset issues millions of pounds worth of contracts to private business and the town could get a slice of that action.Longer term I would like to see us employ a contracts manager to really compete for business for the benefit of the local taxpayer. If we were winning business from companies outside Weston it can only be good for the town. It will be good for local employment. National figures show it costs around 45 per cent in management and administration to run a district or county council whereas a town council like Weston operates on a maximum of 25 per cent administration overheads which includes things like salaries and office costs.This means that on a contract of say £1m the town council could save the taxpayer 20 per cent, a massive sum of £200,000. However, the downside is as the organisation grows the overheads grow with it so the trick is to run lean and mean and continue to provide services for maximum value.The town already employs gardeners, caretakers and administrative staff who could be working on contracts. We currently maintain the 15 acres of Weston Cemetery and seven play areas ranging from Ashcombe Park to Worle, Clarence and Grove Parks as well as maintaining Ellenborough Park East.We are maintaining these areas to a higher standard than previously and also at a lower cost to the taxpayer.CLLR DEREK KRAFT - Weston town councillor, North Somerset councillor