Sir,

The letter from Bob Hayward in the Beacon 2nd January implies we should ask county councillors from the other Monmouth wards for information regarding the Local Development Plan.

It is my experience that these county councillors are too busy moving from one meeting to another meeting, that they do not have time to read and research the reports written by county officers, giving information for the cabinet vote on decisions made by officers who do not work or live in Monmouth.

Last summer I attended a publicity presentation at Bridges on behalf of a housing development firm wanting community support for building houses on the Ancre Hill/ Vauxhall site.

Along with the usual problems regarding infrastructure, the question of education was introduced. The reply was, that Monmouthshire County Council Education Department was satisfied that the extra school population would not be a problem.

Demountable cabins will be place in the playgrounds of junior schools and Monmouth Comprehensive School would stop pupils from across the border attending the school.

Has the cabinet voted for this change of education policy? Or are the staff in charge of any changes?

The Beacon letter page is excellent for the exchange of local views, but unfortunately no County Hall staff or out of area councillors read the Beacon.

Trying to contact any staff at County Hall is impossible, because with the new 'agile working' no staff can be found at their 'hot desk' and answerphones take all the messages.

If you have a problem, make a copy of your letter to the Beacon and address it to Mr Paul Matthews, Chief Executive, Monmouthshire County Council, and save postage by taking the letter to the One Stop Shop in Priory Street, Monmouth and ask for the letter to be sent in the internal mail.

B Shephard

(Monmouth)