A LOCAL councillor has rounded on the other members of his authority for failing to attend a meeting with police and traders arranged to discuss anti-social behaviour.
Lydney Town councillor Alan Preest, the youngest member, said he felt let down by his colleagues as he was the only one of 15 to attend a meeting called by the police to talk over ways of overcoming difficulties at a town trouble-spot.
He said it was the second meeting called by the police to address problems caused by youngsters who gathered round the One-Stop shop at Hylton Court, Newerne Street.
"What message does this pass to the local retailers and police who were in attendance – not forgetting the local community?," he asked.
The first meeting, he said, had been attended by two members of the town council.
"I attended the first one with the chairman, Mrs Duncan, who I understand had to attend another meeting last week. I know it sounds like a gripe but I don't think it sends out a very strong message to council tax payers when only one member of the council appears to take this issue seriously," he said.
Mr Preest said there had been on-going problems in that area of the town.
"There are issues of rubbish, vandalism, graffiti and drug taking as well as problems caused by boy-racers. It is hard to bring pressure to bear when you are the only one representing the council," he said.
Town mayor and council chairman Mrs Margaret Duncan said she had attended the first meeting but because of another engagement had been unable to attend the second.
"I trust Mr Preest will report back to the council at our next meeting," she said.
Trader Kay Remnant, who attended the meeting, said it has been constructive and progress had been made.
"Since the opening of the youth cafe we do not have the same level of rubbish and there appears to be some improvement. But we are critical of the position of the CCTV camera. The police have now agreed to bring in a mobile unit to overlook the rear of the site," he said.