A PUBLIC inquiry should have been on the agenda a long time ago on the sale of land and buildings at Ashton Gardens by Fylde Borough Council. After the fiasco at the town hall last Monday evening it is essential.

I went to the town hall under the impression we were going to hear a debate on Ashton Gardens. We were allowed in only to be duped as the words "Ashton Gardens" were never mentioned all evening. I am a sand-grown ratepayer.

For fifty councillors who are supposed to represent a cross-section of the public, chiefly ratepayers, I have nothing but contempt. We stood and kept a dignified silence while a site for youngsters could be found to skateboard.

Then the father of the council read out that councillors could expect a rise, giving them £13,000 each per annum.

Councillor Mrs Davies turned round and smiled like the cat who got the cream at other councillors. No wonder there is a husband and wife team there! The councillors had each got all the relevant papers and could clearly read the numbers of the issues to be discussed. They were so busy licking their freebie Kit Kats and obviously had previously decided to maintain silence on the Ashton Gardens issue, it was missed on purpose. I cannot comprehend that not one could find it in their hearts to vote against the sale of Ashton Gardens.

Is the revenue to be used to fund the park at Lytham Hall? Councillors must be made well aware that Lytham Hall is the property of Lytham Trust, nothing at all to do with Fylde Borough Council. I note the £5,000 the council intended to give to the party concerned to boost the funds to purchase part of the College for an art gallery has been withdrawn. Is this because they now want the art treasures to go to Lytham Hall? This must not happen. Relatives of the donors of the works of art -- you have been warned that this is the last you or we will see of them.

The £30,000 of ratepayers' money to be donated towards the making of the new park at the hall by Lancashire County Council must not happen either. This money does not belong to them to splash on private property.

Name and address supplied.