Hailsham Town Council showed yet again how arrogantly it treats the residents of its town.

The annual town council meeting took place last Monday.

All around the town were bright yellow signs advising residents that the meeting was taking place. These signs proudly displayed a time of 6.30pm. Residents such as myself had to rush our meals to make the new, earlier time.

On arriving I was greeted by a new format with everyone seated at tables and asked to fill out forms and questionnaires.

Half past six came and went, to be told that the meeting would be starting at 7.30pm. The hour to wait, we were told, was for those present to fill out the questionnaires and look at the displays put on by partners such as the police and Hailsham Forward Team.

When residents started to question having to wait another hour, they were told over a microphone that timings were on the council’s website and that everyone should have read it there.

At this point a number of residents started to walk out.

As I left, I counted at least a dozen others leaving.

When it comes to engaging with residents, the council should read this as “could do a lot better” and “needs to listen to taxpayers”.

Eddy Powell, Western Road, Hailsham