If my complaints about the undemocratic decision making process whereby the Conservative controlled district council voted to close our only sports hall without any consultation are 'whingeing' then I plead guilty and will continue to whinge.

If my criticism of the appearance of the ramp to the new footbridge at Matlock station is 'whingeing', I'll continue to whinge, along with most of the residents of Matlock and beyond.

If I, on behalf of the town council, with the Snitterton Road residents dared to 'whinge' about numerous aspects of the landscaping proposals by Sainsbury's, in order to get them amended, then I am sure we will all plead guilty.

In fact, our joint representations have persuaded the district council and more importantly Sainsbury's themselves to alter their plans and many of these changes have already been implemented, so our success should be celebrated, not vilified as 'whingeing'.

Many of those members of the public who attend town council meetings are in fact invited by me, usually to make their comments on controversial planning applications which affect them (would this be called 'whingeing'?).

However, I am less happy with those who come to meetings with lengthy and complex statements which should really be addressed directly to either county or district councils instead, to reinforce and underline frequent representations from a proactive as well as reactive town council.

As a council, we welcome public participation at every meeting, and invite all residents to come and make a contribution.
Finally, as for advertising council meetings, I share Mrs Power's concern.

In fact, I am well known for 'whingeing' about the town council's failure to adequately promote our meeting agendas (meetings are every first and third Monday of the month).

I am unfortunately in a minority, with other councillors favouring more publicity for local events instead, but I shall continue to press for better coverage on the town council's numerous notice boards.

Cllr Martin Burfoot
Lead Member for the
Environment — Matlock Town
Council
Megdale
Matlock.