I READ with awe and amazement Mrs Cordon's published letter concerning her recent resignation from Lydney Town Council. I have obtained a copy of her letter of resignation and on reading same feel there are questions which need to be answered.

In this letter she states that: "My final decision was reached following a meeting between two officers of the District Council, five Lydney town councillors and the clerk to Lydney Town Council. This meeting was supposed to be of a collaborative nature and was in fact far from collaborative for at least for the first hour (Mrs Cordon missed the final hour due to another commitment). The aggressive behaviour of the clerk and certain councillors made me feel that I no longer wanted to be associated with Lydney Town Council."

I understand that this meeting was concerning the Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) incorporated in the new Localism Act, the purpose of which is for the views of the local community to be encompassed with local consultation in respect of the future of Lydney.

District councillors and Lydney town councillors are elected by the residents of the town an as such should endeavour at all times to secure the best possible future for Lydney. If the town clerk and other councillors were "aggressive" as stated, this must be only because they were executing their duties, in the correct manner, by trying to play a greater part and trying to obtain the best they could in shaping the town's future in co-operation with the Forest of Dean District Council.

As a resident I would certainly expect this to be the case.

It would be interesting to know what input she personally had on behalf of residents at the meeting especially as she was only there for half of the meeting? As a Lydney town councillor and parish clerk, Mrs Cordon is obviously aware of the rules and regulations regarding councillors' conduct. Can she confirm that by their behaviour "the clerk and certain councillors" broke the Code of Conduct at this meeting and, if so, why was this not addressed through the proper complaints procedure?

If the Code of Conduct was broken residents of Lydney will no doubt be extremely disappointed especially after the public meeting convened on March 9 attended by Mrs Cordon to discuss the Public Interest Report.

Following this meeting a public notice was issued stating that: "The council also confirmed that it now aims to provide greater transparency in all areas of council business and will work tirelessly towards restoring public confidence."

Personally, without explanation, I find it difficult to understand the accusation that Mrs Cordon made concerning Mrs Smailes, the town clerk (whose official title is chief executive officer). I have had several dealings with Mrs Smailes and always found her willing to listen, very helpful, courteous, professional, knowledgeable, honest and fair – certainly not "aggressive."

In her letter of resignation Mrs Cordon states that "I have been considering my position within the political field generally and considering whether it is time to cut links with these interests."

This statement seems to indicate that her resignation was imminent anyway. It appears to me that she merely used the clerk and councillors as scapegoats and a source and excuse for her resignation.

– Gordon Blake, Lydney.