COUNCILLOR Max Coburn (Cinderford) has hit the nail on the head by pointing out that there is something of a conflict of interest in that Garry King (chief executive, Two Rivers) sits on both the Regeneration Board and Two Rivers Board. He appears to be a man with too many hats and not enough mowers!

When I wrote previously I had not the slightest clue that he wore two hats in this respect and indeed there is definitely a bad smell involved here and not the one at Newent!

His position on the Regeneration Board is now in my mind untenable. He cannot possibly be a neutral party in this situation and obviously isn't if he and his voluntary committee have decided to move out of the Two Rivers area. Please remember why you are called Two Rivers.

Maybe they could change their name to 't'other side o' river'?

The chairman of Two Rivers pointed out that they are all voluntary members of the committee but we must all remember the animal designed by a committee. Didn't it have the head of an ass and the rear of a donkey?  Obviously they are all doing this job on a part time basis and Garry King has ultimate responsibility for putting options in front of said committee?  

 

Now that Gloucestershire College has committed to the new site (Cinderford) it would surely drive the regeneration forward if Two Rivers did likewise. Their commitment might just speed things up?

I would also like to see the Forest of Dean Council's leadership opinion on this matter?  Why are they not giving Two Rivers a hard time in order to help drive regeneration. After all it is the housing benefit paid by the council that keeps Two Rivers in operation.

Why does an organisation like Two Rivers need a high profile head office anyway?

Its priority should be housing provision and maintenance thereof. If rent is such a problem in Mitcheldean, find a cheaper office block – there are lots around.

 – Chris Gardner.