SO Monmouthshire County Council is looking for a new home.

Informed sources say the cost of the new HQ., which will take the place of the existing headquarters at Cwmbran, could well be £20 million.

In the current, recession-hit world that we live in, our view is that it could be a lot more than that!

Statements issued by leading figures at County Hall contain some phrases which might not be familiar to Beacon readers, such as "Agile working".

That probably means the ability to work from different locations, including home, rather than the ability to work in different positions in the workplace!

What many people will be asking is how the County Council can afford to even consider such a project in the current financial climate.

And the people of Monmouth and district will be asking an even more important question: Why is it, when the County Council considers a major project, Monmouth is never considered.

That was the case when the controversial cattle market scheme was considered. Now, Usk and Raglan are put forward as likely sites for the new HQ. but there is no mention of Monmouth.

We recall saying, when the Monmouth Hospital site in Hereford Road was up for sale, that it would make a good HQ, for the County Council.

That opportunity has obviously been lost, although The Beacon has failed to get information from the County Council on the possible development of the hospital site.

We would therefore urge the county authority to look elsewhere in Monmouth and district. Surely there are sites, and units and buildings on industrial estates, which might be suitable for new County Council headquarters.

We would never try to tell County Councillors and Officers how to manage the affairs of the authority which they either work for or are elected to.

However, we would urge them to always remember to include Monmouth in the equation when making decisions affecting Monmouth and to which people in Monmouth are financially involved.