Given the by now completely obvious extent of public concern about fracking in Ryedale, it seems altogether remarkable that the district council chose to close to the public its parish liaison meeting in Malton, held on Wednesday, October 22, at which fracking was on the agenda.

At least 50 members of the public had already arranged their time to attend this meeting as observers.

Choosing to hold the meeting behind closed doors was therefore certainly not an exercise by the district council in democratic transparency.

Was the council simply caught on the hop by the strength of public feeling over fracking in Ryedale?

Whatever, it would be a really good idea for them to take more care that the public can have confidence in the way these consultations and meetings are carried out in the future.

Robert Field, Gilling East