I WISH to comment on the Leominster Town Council not having any decision-making powers.

The final decision and what ever happens locally is, of course, taken by the Herefordshire unitary council.

However as town councillors we play an important and crucial role as communicators of the opinions of Leominster residents.

Leominster market town showed its disagreement to the proposed car parking charges in Etnam Street, by a petition of 3,000 names against these proposed charges.

Leominster mayor Councillor Peter McCaull had the unanimous support of his council to have this decision overturned.

Coun McCaull spoke eloquently at the Herefordshire Council cabinet meeting of the negative effects this would have on the retail and leisure sector in the town, supporting the petition and requesting an overturn of the decision.

I listened from the gallery – a lone spectator on the proceedings.

Leominster’s civic voice, Coun McCaull certainly did all he could in a dignified and impassioned address.

Coun Graham Powell, following Coun McCaull’s address, laid out Herefordshire Council’s financial position of which we are now all too familiar.

However, I noted he left a window of opportunity when he ended his representation on behalf of the county council with: “I’m sure we can do something.”

He then arranged a meeting with Leominster town councillors in West Street.

On March 12, both Coun McCaull and Coun Powell negotiated a compromise with a win-win situation.

Yes, there will be charges, but reduced due to effective and determined lobbying by Leominster Town Council and Leominster residents, I think that is called democracy in action.

Do we have a voice? We certainly do.

Are we as Leominster town councillors able to influence decisions? Yes, we certainly can.

COUN ANGELA PENDLETON (Independent), Leominster.