My first meeting - but I was very impressed with the organisation (and the refreshments which I think were provided by the new coffee shop opposite - and were a very good advert for it).

One thing that came to light was the absence at the meeting of our Town Centre Manager. Someone said she was not there for personal reasons, but I don't think there was an apology (unless I missed it at the beginning). People seemed to think that she was never there, which doesn't seem right to me.

One person spoke in her defence, citing her co-operation on a new farmers' (?) market, which apparently is imminent - no other details of this were given, but it sounds interesting.

It was great to hear of the ongoing plans for the pools - apparently work on demolishing the old pools behind the frontage should start in a few months. A very valid comment was made about the siting of the cafe terrace which it seems will be almost permanently in shade. The impression from the architect was that, unfortunate though it might be, the plans were pretty much set in stone (or white terracotta, which is the current cladding material - although this is under review). I think everyone is a bit scared of criticising the design and is concentrating more on keeping their fingers crossed! Nobody asked what the implications of a change in government might be, either.