SIR, Stuart Wilson used the Beacon to issue an invitation to the public, on behalf of the Monmouth Town Council Planning Committee, to attend their meeting on Monday 30th March. They would be discussing the comprehensive school redevelopment proposals and there would be an opportunity for the public to ask questions or make comments about them. As one of four regular concerned swimmers – representing more who would have attended but for Easter holiday commitments – we naturally went to participate in the discussion. We were amazed at how few (if any) of the 'concerned' staff and parents of the 1,630 pupils were there to discuss the plans. Far from "enjoying the power they have" as stated by your correspondent Rachel Ryder, the town councillors voted against the plans because they are concerned that the school is going to be too small and unfit for purpose. The new plan is for 1600 children - even less than the present number and 56 local children have apparently already been turned down for next September. The councillors' critics should look more carefully at the new plans. Well done Councillor Bob Hayward who succinctly put forward the points against the new school design. He rightly added that "the children need the best we can give them and this plan is not right". What makes Mrs. Ryder so sure her third child will be one of the lucky local ones to get a place? By 2018 there will be an estimated 1,700 children in the catchment area so what happens then? This lady, whom I believe did not even attend the meeting, was outraged at the result. I can assure her that the swimmers who had taken the time and trouble to go were also outraged when they were criticised by Cllr Jeana Hall for putting forward their worries about the new pool design, having been invited to do just that. What sort of democracy is this? The present pool is a town as well as school one of which a large proportion of the original funding was provided by the town. It is used daily by between 50 and 60 mainly regular swimmers, many for health and fitness reasons. Its present size enables SAFE swimming for all speeds by having two lanes for circuits by mainly faster swimmers (usually three to five people in each) and  an 'open' half for mixed speeds with usually approx. eight to 10 swimmers. Leaving aside the changing room issues, we were shocked to find that the new pool plan had been reduced by almost two meters in width (nearly a lane), making it extremely difficult to accommodate this necessary type of swimming for safe public and school use. Cllr Hall should come to see how it operates. Hopefully common sense will prevail. Fay McGrath (Monmouth)