Graham Carpenter, letters January 14, has got his facts wrong and is behind the times regarding the purchase of 11 Corn Square by Leominster Town Council. The decision was made and the purchase agreed before Christmas. It is a pity he did not attend any of the Council meetings where this issue was regularly discussed over many months, or write to the Council expressing his concerns.

Leominster will not be spending £500,000 on purchasing 11 Corn Square; this is our allowed ceiling, and the actual amount will be just over half. We also own the West Street premises which will realise more towards our total spend.

Since taking on many of the services once provided by Herefordshire Council, and the new staff necessary, we are running out of room in our present premises in West Street. Also, as anyone who has attended meetings recently is aware, it is difficult, if not impossible, to see and hear one another because of the lack of space and the L -shaped meeting room.

The new premises will be far more suitable, and will become a hub for a wide range of community support activities. These will help us to reduce costs, and as the business plan clearly shows, the purchase and use of the building will be cost neutral.

Mr Carpenter seems to have been unaware of our consultation over future spending, through the website, public meetings, stalls on Friday mornings, and a consultation questionnaire. We are grateful to all those who did respond and who have attended meetings. Constructive comments are always welcome.

Yours sincerely,

Councillor Felicity Norman

Mayor of Leominster

The Folley,

Luston, Leominster HR6 0BX

01568 780886