The local referendum on the proposal to develop a new community facility (village hall) in Newnham is flawed for the following reasons:

A referendum is based on the tried and tested principle of one person one vote, not 'one property one vote'.

The Armoury Hall 'was bought on behalf of the people of Newnham as their village hall, and its constitution gives the inhabitants of Newnham-on-Severn and the neighbourhood complete power to decide what happens to it.' It cannot be disposed of without their express permission.

A referendum should ask a simple question. This 'village hall' referendum makes a general statement and then asks, implicitly, for our agreement.

Under the 1972 Local Government Act the district council has to carry out any referendum. All those entitled to vote at local elections are entitled to vote in a local referendum. Any 'analysis' by the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council is irrelevant.

It is alleged that this project is being managed not by the parish council but by a local group whose interests do not necessarily coincide with the interests of Newnham residents.

'The information (which) has been previously circulated to local households' is short on facts and has raised more questions than it has answered.

The Armoury Hall needs refurbishing, which is a matter for the inhabitants of Newnham and the neighbourhood.

If the Club needs refurbishing, it's a matter for its members.

– John Muir, Newnham