AS chairman of the North Somerset Community Action Association may I congratulate Derek Mead on his positive thoughts for the future development of our region. At our second public meeting we put forward a raft of proposals, which we felt would help. A

AS chairman of the North Somerset Community Action Association may I congratulate Derek Mead on his positive thoughts for the future development of our region. At our second public meeting we put forward a raft of proposals, which we felt would help. A Snow Dome was just one of those proposals. We are therefore delighted Derek Mead has taken the initiative. I believe Mr Mead recently had a successful fact-finding visit to the Milton Keynes Snow Dome in the hope that in the very near future he might gain planning permission for our own Snow Dome in the West Country. These are the kind of attractions we need. All too often we read of yet more residential developments and political party backbiting and point scoring. Therefore we wholeheartedly give Derek Mead and his project our full support.Secondly, am I mistaken in thinking there could be local elections looming on the horizon with all the offers and proposals for deductions in council tax apparent in our local press?It was announced recently that the Lib Dems promised a reduction to below four per cent. Not to be outdone for the second year, the new leader of the Conservative Party, Cllr Nigel Ashton, is to propose a council tax rise of around three per cent when they put forward an alternative budget to council. These are the same councillors who will be asking for your vote at the coming elections. I therefore urge people to cast their vote for a real alternative.DEREK A STANLEYCastle Hill, Banwell