Mr James Doyle (Review February 4) rightly requested details of costs and what was achieved by the District Council's delegation visiting  the House of Lords on January 17.

As an Independent and mover of the motion I was asked to be a media spokesperson for the day, and every member of the delegation agreed. With regard to the presentation of the central case for exempting the Forest of Dean from the Public Bodies Bill – before Peers and MPs – this was addressed by Alan Robertson. Alan's presentation was aided by members who responded to questions from Peers and MPs.  

In this context Councillor Bruce Hogan contributed in a professional manner and in support of the  aforesaid central case.

What the visit achieved through the District Council's alignment with the HOOF campaign was national publicity which raised the profile of the Royal Forest of Dean throughout the country. Therefore the central issue is that unless the Public Bodies Bill is amended to protect the Forest of Dean, there is no other Forest Community throughout England, which will be devastated and  stripped of its hard earned freedoms. This will be the case  the moment a  conveyance freehold or leasehold document is signed and exchanged to take the Forest out of public hands and it  applies to all our cherished woodland from Tidenham to Dymock.

With regards to cost to taxpayers' expense, there were 350 pamphlets published setting out the central case for Peers and MPs, which cost £1,350, and the mini-bus at £300. The six councillors who travelled on the mini-bus contributed £12 each. The Leader Peter Amos and Council Chairman Marrilyn Smart travelled separately and resided overnight  totally at their own expense. We have requested for a report of the visit and   including costing  to be presented at the next Full Council Meeting on February 24.  Finally I attach the full delegation for your further perusal.  

– Andrew Gardiner, Ruardean.

 Mover of the Motion – Andrew Gardiner, Independent.

Seconder of the Motion – Norman Stephens, Independent.

 Peter Amos, Conservative; Heather Dalziel, Lib Dem; Terry Hale, Conservative; Bruce Hogan, Labour; Marion Winship, Non/Pol Alliance;  Marrilyn Smart, Conservative.

Legal and Democratic Officer

Experts re ancient customary freedoms, customs and privileges: Ian Standing, historian; Mick Holder, Commoners' Association; Eric Morris, president of  Freeminers; John Powell, Fisheries; Alan Robertson, retired solicitor;  Rupert Bathurst Lord Bledisloe; representative from The Forester