SIR,

I would like to thank John Morgan for his support on this page for changes needed to Monmouth.

I was talking to a cafe owner this morning who tells me that the council are going to make charges for charity displays and for putting chairs outside for people to sit on. How short sighted and mean can they get? I had hoped for better from local council leaders, but maybe they are as out of touch as the national politicians, or hindered by red tape and policy strait jackets.

I do feel that the local population will need to become more vocal to get some change for this town. Here is just a list of ideas that I know can be funded by lottery and business support, with little strain on the budget here.

Stop charging businesses for putting chairs out and give them money to beautify their exterior.

Decide to get some more affordable housing in this town, and stop hindering such developments.

Let McDonald's and a hotel be built close by. This will serve a need and help increase visitor numbers.

Encourage a diversity of shops to come and stop putting barriers in their way.

Build a state of the art playground at Chippenham Fields.

Encourage the opening of a nightclub in the town.

Provide night and Sunday bus services from Monmouth to neighbouring villages.

Fund bids for more ways over the River Wye for both motorists and pedestrians.

Make more of the river area we have that comes through the town.

In conclusion, let us make this town more beautiful to the eye, more to offer all generations, and give it the future it deserves.

Stephen Starkie

(Whitchurch)