AN OPERA singer who died after collapsing at a town council meeting wanted to see "new faces and new ideas" in the running of Chepstow's Drill Hall.

Karl Daymond, 52, had been due to speak on the future running of Chepstow Drill Hall before becoming short of breath around 15 minutes into the meeting last Wednesday, August 9.

First-aiders initially attended to him after he collapsed outside the council chambers before paramedics arrived.

Mr Daymond was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, where he died.

At the re-arranged extraordinary meeting on Wednesday night, a speech Mr Daymond prepared was read out on his behalf.

In the speech, Mr Daymond raised concerns about the management of the Drill Hall.

He said: "There are a number of arts professionals in the town who do have concerns about the management of the Drill Hall.

"There has been a lack of discussion about the venue's cultural direction, a lack of community involvement in the decision-making process.

"Many of us were unaware that discussions about changes to the management structure have been going on for so long and that important decisions have already been made without a proper public consultation.

"There are concerns about how suggestions and criticisms have been dealt with if not ignored. They are met with levels of defensiveness which seem to contradict charity commission and Big Lottery guidelines."

He added: "The cultural output of the venue does not promptly reflect a diverse community.

"The venue needs to connect with more people in our community and with people in every council hall by finding a way to encourage the Drill Hall management to be more approachable and more inclusive."

In an emotional speech read out on his behalf, Mr Daymond asked the council to pause and not to feel pressured into making a decision.

He said proper management of the venue was more important, and that other grants could be applied for.

He added: "I acknowledge the many achievements the Drill Hall has passed but we must now look to the future and its new challenges, new faces and new ideas."

A minute's silence was also held at the meeting in memory of Mr Daymond.