IT'S the one time of the year where Highworth residents get the chance to take over the agenda and tell every councillor in town exactly what they think.

But when the annual town meeting began, no Highworthians had bothered turning up to take advantage of this rare opportunity.

Sandra Rendall said she'd posted a message on social media alerting people to the meeting and encouraging them to attend, but no-one responded.

Sandra had also asked Susan Lambert, Dementia Friendly co-ordinator for Swindon Borough Council, to come and talk about her work - but she didn't turn up either.

Fortunately, fifteen minutes into the meeting, one resident did finally arrive to talk passionately about the need for better play parks and youth facilities in the town.

The councillors thanked her for coming and for making her points so well.

There was considerable frustration about the lack of public engagement with the council.

Town clerk David Lane said: "There are a lot of people in Highworth who seem to have strong ideas and opinions but don't actually talk to a councillor, even though that's what they are there for.

Coun Lynn Vardy said: "The office staff do a great job with the public, even though they sometimes get abuse and deal with a few people who just do not listen.

"If you are an armchair warrior who just goes online and complains, then that's sad."

Councillors regularly hold a surgery in the Committee Room of the council offices on the first Saturday of every month from 10am to 11am.

This is an opportunity for residents to talk to their elected representatives about any concerns and important issues they want them to focus on.

Highworthians can also pop into the council offices when it's open, and are allowed to speak at the start of planning meetings if they want to discuss an application before councillors recommend that it be approved or refused.

The opening hours of the council office and every councillor's contact details are on the Highworth Town Council website highworthtowncouncil.gov.uk

Communication seemed to be a common problem in the meeting - before the resident arrived, councillors discussed how many had come to them complaining about how difficult it was to contact Swindon Borough Council.

Coun Vardy added: "If you have a complaint, you want to speak to someone and it's absolutely appalling that it's so difficult to get a human voice.

"It's very stressful for people who don't use the internet - one woman was crying in the office the other day because of this."

The matter will be discussed further at the next General Purpose and Finance Committee meeting on June 5.