Being an evening meeting meant it was our first opportunity to attend and see our council representatives in action.

However, hoping to see councillors working as a team, we were most disappointed, especially in relation to the discussion regarding the proposed Civic Centre.

A vote of five to four to proceed with a grant application to build the new centre was passed.

No one questions the need for new premises, but our concern lies with the fact that the decision to apply for the grant appears to have been made without sufficient information such as cost of project, amenities to be provided or location being finalised.

For this particular grant, the council must also be able to demonstrate that the community, as ratepayers, have been consulted.   

Following the vote quite a large number of residents left the meeting in disgust.

Their anger and disappointment aimed at the council for proceeding with such an important project without making the effort to consult fully with their own community.

We need a united council that acts transparently and reaches out to the community to include us when making these important decisions.

It is difficult otherwise to claim that the council is acting in our best interests.