‘We call on West Sussex County Council to declare the county a Frack Free zone,’ began the petition being debated by our county councillors on October 17.

Since beginning my research into fracking, I have resolved to support whichever party or persons oppose it.

I attended the debate and as a teacher, my conclusion for most of our councillors was ‘must try harder’.

A handful of speakers for and against, ended with the feeling, as one councillor put it, that this subject needed a much fuller airing.

My mid-term report on the Conservatives would be ‘must improve listening skills’ – to their electorate rather than to the paymaster.

Their ability to side-step the issue by putting forward a new motion, (not to take a stance on it) thus diluting the focus of the debate, was well-noted.

‘Keep focused on the subject in hand’ would be on my report to the UKIP councillor, who said that in Leningrad they were ‘forced to eat dogs’.

Top marks for answering the question go to the Labour councillors and one Lib Dem, who stayed focused on the public concern over fracking.

Mr Buckland suggested ‘we should listen to the members of the public’ (a novel idea for some).

All the Labour candidates present, and one Lib-Dem (quoted above), voted in support of the petitioners.

This petition put forward by Keep Kirdford and Wisborough Green reached 3,500 and the Balcombe petition has reached over 5,500.

At what point will our elected officials feel it is time to listen? The councillors mentioned a WSCC event in Chichester on November 9 which will be a chance to give them your views in person.

Helen Savage

Balcombe