SIR,
Following the recent "information gathering" fiasco re the market's return to Agincourt Square, printed below is an email sent on 11th May to Ms Moyna Wilkinson, deputy chief executive of Monmouthshire County Council (MCC), to which I have had no reply.
"Dear Ms Wilkinson,
"As you are now no doubt aware there is a great deal of consternation at the manner in which the "market evidence gathering" review has been conducted.
"I personally am very concerned as to why Mark Gardner was instructed by MCC not to accept a petition signed by 3,351 people calling for the market to be returned to Agincourt Square.
"Surely this should form an integral part of his evidence gathering.
"It was only because I insisted, and the Monmouthshire Beacon was present, that he agreed to me leaving the petition with him.
"I emailed you on 5th May advising you that I intended to hand the petition to Mark Gardner on 9th May and had no response.
"I would now like a personal assurance from you that the petition has been received and that it will be taken into account in your deliberations.
"Many conspiracy theories abound in Monmouth at the moment and I think it is in everyone's best interest to ensure that everything is seen to be clear and above board.
"I look forward to hearing from you.
"Yours sincerely,".
It seems that only selective evidence is required and that MCC wished to continue to claim that they had not formally received the petition.
The petition represents the overwhelming view of the people of Monmouth and cannot be ignored.
However, on past experience, nothing would surprise me.
Neill Bell
(Monmouth)
A petition in favour of moving Monmouth Market back to Agincourt Square was presented to the chairman of Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) last week.
Councillor Sue White handed over the 3,351-strong petition to Councillor Brian Hood during MCC's full council meeting last Thursday (12th May).