MADAM, As a regular swimmer, I received a letter from the management of the pool a couple of weeks ago, reminding me my annual season ticket was due to expire in April and offering to renew it at the present rate if I did so before the end of March.

Evidently, not even the pool management has been given warning of its dire condition, claimed to justify its immediate closure by a decision of the 'Cabinet' in Hereford.

I have been assured by three councillors representing wards in Leominster and its neighbourhood they had no warning or opportunity to debate the closure. If it is in such a dire state, why has something not been done earlier to keep it safe and in reasonable repair? Why has there been such procrastination and indecision over the new pool?

With councillors for wards most immediately affected having no power to influence such an important decision, what incentives do electors have to vote in local election? Democracy flourishes only when electors can vote for representatives with genuine power over important decisions, which is clearly not the case in Herefordshire.

RUPERT BLUM,

Stoke Prior.