SIR, Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has described new guidelines issued to parish councils which appear to forbid councillors from speaking to journalists (and, by implication, writing to the press) without official consent as "Stalinist". The "media policy" from the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) appears to suggest that journalists should contact the Council Clerk rather than a councillor directly. It also appears to require journalists to obtain written consent from the clerk if they wish to interview a councillor. Although Mr Pickles' writ does not run in Wales, the attitude he describes clearly does. Beacon readers were told by the council clerk recently that a letter (edition of 21st May) from Councillor Sue Chivers did not necessarily represent the views of the town council. But no one said it did, least of all Mrs Chivers, who never even mentioned she was a councillor. If she had it would have been welcome additional information to enhance public debate in the town and readers were the poorer for not knowing that. Last week Ann Were wrote to the Beacon about fracking, but few reading her letter would have known that she's also a town councillor and that her views might therefore merit serious attention. No one would suggest our MP should neglect to put those initials after his name. Why should councillors? As Mr Pickles said: "Freedom of speech is a vital part of local democracy. Councillors should not have to get permission from state officials to speak to the press. I am concerned that this Stalinist guidance will have a chilling effect on public life." Monmouth town councillors should ignore the guidance from the NALC – for guidance is all that it is, it has no basis in law. It would be better for the civic life of the town and for the town council if they did. Charles Boase (Monmouth)