SIR,
The continuing drama around the market continues as the plot thickens.
I'm not a statistical expert but common sense would suggest that gathering evidence from 30 locals is insufficient to be able to make a robust evaluation of the genuine thoughts and needs of all parties concerned.
If there was only a limited amount of time would it not have been better to use that for a number of focus groups of 10 or more, allowing many more voices and views to be given?
The process that I have read about would appear to be a complete waste of money – our money.
And why couldn't Mark Gardner take the petition?
What was the reason behind Monmouthshire County Council's (MCC) advice in this respect?
Do they want to deny a voice to the people of Monmouth?
The decisions about the market should be taken by our elected councillors, not the employed civil servants.
As MCC says on its website 'Councillors decide which policies the council should pursue'.
In arriving at their decision they should be consulting with the people they represent at the surgeries they hold.
I hope that the decision for the market has not been delegated to full time officials as this would be a dereliction of duty by the elected officers.
Where are the local councillors on this issue?
We have voted for them and we must now make them accountable.
MCC website contains the names, email addresses and phone numbers of all councillors and I would urge those of strong opinions to contact their local representative or the council leaders.
Transparency is a key component of any democratic decision but it does appear to be in a minority in this debate.
In the meantime one of the most attractive buildings in the county is looking more like a very expensive folly.
Nigel Williams
(Parkhouse)