Few, with the probable exception of devout extreme left-wingers, could argue against the detrimental effect that Labour's open-door free-for-all immigration policy has had on our social infrastructure, stretching hospitals, schools, housing etc to breaking point and putting our local communities and British culture under tremendous strain.

Locally, in the Forest of Dean, judging by the amount of people who express concern, there has also been an effect.

To this end I asked the following question at the Forest of Dean District Council meeting last Thursday.

Does the council monitor the social and economic impact of immigration and migrant workers in the Forest of Dean? If so, by what means?

Confident in the belief that the question would be answered and that the Forest of Dean District Council would be up to speed, especially with all the past time and cost spent on important issues like gypsy camp siting – surely a single disused ex-military base such as RAF Caerwent would be ideal? And now that the Forest MP is Immigration Minister, the Tory administration at Coleford would be keen to gain some points and show that the MP's own constituency is not out of touch.

The answer to my question was 'no,' nothing else, no! No concern on local health requirements, no concern on local employment requirements, no concern on education requirements, NO concern on housing requirement etc.

I left the meeting with the same no confidence that the Forest of Dean District Council has consistently inspired me with on other issues such as waste, planning, regeneration, parking, standards, renewable energy and basic understanding of community needs.

Councillors did manage to defeat the administration in scrapping car-parking charges for Mitcheldean – a start, hopefully, for the universal demise of this most-unpopular strain on small town centre business. Well done Cllr Ian Whitburn.

However, the best Christmas present for the Forest of Dean if the same councillors had really wanted to have made a difference would have been a vote of no confidence in the cabinet five, who undoubtedly are not in touch with the people they purport to represent.

Listening to the ever-decreasing circular speeches of Cllr Brian Robinson made me think of the immortal Frank Spencer – 'Betty, I'm a failure' as he swung helplessly across the church hall dressed as an angel!

– Cllr Alan Preest (UKIP Lydney North).