SIR,
Following the long council meeting on 1st July regarding the Local Development Plan (LDP), I have written to all those who participated to thank them for giving their presentations on the day.
It was a valuable part of our consultations about the LDP.
In consulting it is impossible to please everyone and we do try to take into account all the evidence, including people's views, in coming to a decision.
It is worth remembering we are the only local authority in Wales to give members of the public the opportunity to speak at such a meeting.
The meeting and the general consultation showed that the people of Monmouthshire have in depth knowledge and an ability to articulate their views.
For me in chairing that meeting, I can only thank everyone for their patience and courtesy throughout.
It was a long meeting and some were there much longer than they anticipated.
But it was and is important that all elected members were able to hear the views of those who wished to speak and who represented many others.
The total time for speaking for the public was more than 4 hours.
When taking into account the debate among councillors and some necessary breaks, it is easy to see why the meeting took as long as it did.
Once again, on behalf of Monmouthshire County Council, I would like to thank everyone who participated and attended the meeting.
County Councillor Brian Hood MBE
(Chairman Monmouthshire County Council)