SIR, 1 do wonder sometimes about the policies of Monmouthshire County Council. The first wonder is Shire Hall - why haven't MCC put the money from this so called 'Welcome Centre' into refurbishing the Shire Hall and made this the new 'Welcome Centre?' It would have saved an awful lot of money. 1 understand the money is being funded by the Welsh Assembly and Tourism, but if money can be diverted from the Comprehensive School to Social Services surely someone could have thought ahead and negotiated an agreement to combine saving Shire Hall with the Welcome Centre. By having the Centre at the bottom end of town it will ruin the High Street from Merlin's upwards. People will drive to the bottom end of Monmouth, pay for short term parking (if they can get a space as there will be even less parking spaces so therefore more hassle trying to park); visitors will have a cup of coffee at the Centre, get the information they require and drive out again. Oh yes, they may have a look at the market as that will be down there as well. They won't walk to the top end of town, having a dramatic effect on businesses at that end of town. Let's face it we have all done this at some point because we can't be bothered or haven't got time. 1 really, really hope that Shire Hall gets the final stage of the Lottery bid in March but, what happens if it doesn't - will MCC close it down as it will not be viable? What will happen to the Tourist Information Centre - will that be to costly to run so amalgamated with the One Stop Shop - 1 hope not? The second wonder is the Comprehensive School as reported in the Beacon on 9th January. If anything, two schools will be required with the ongoing expansion at Rockfield Estate. With all the facilities in the world a larger school will not make a better one. What is required are smaller classes and more personal contact between students and teachers. The Comprehensive should still remain where it is with a second school built at Rockfield. Unless, of course, as rumoured amongst the pupils at the school last year, that the plans would be to sell the ground to a supermarket who will then provide the money for a new school! Tesco own some land down by Dixton roundabout don't they? Imagine the disaster for Monmouth if that should ever happen. On the other hand if the School land was sold for housing to fund a new school, (as Kymin View, Wyesham), this would only solve problems short term but what about the long term? A second school would definitely be required to accommodate all the children who would live there; 1 seem to recall that this was expressed when Rockfield Estate was planned. 1 know my points will fall on deaf ears as it is all to do with money now and not future thinking! M Parsons (Newcastle)
