THE Labour Party candidate for Bromley Cross Ward, Neil Garrity, made a valid point when he pointed out that it was a bit rich for a sitting Conservative ward councillor (and local Tory Leader) to heap blame on the Labour Council for allowing the conversion of a local terraced house into an Indian diner, when it was the Cameron government that relaxed most regulatory controls over planning and the environment.

As Labour Party candidate for the ward, Mr Garrity posted an election leaflet through houses across the area, explaining that he was going to make a real contribution and inviting residents to get in touch over local issues I took the time to send you a useful email — which went unreplied to.

However, for those residents who are keen on having a Labour councillor, perhaps Mr Garrity could explain his position over the decision of this Labour Council to severely cut the Area Forum budget for the area a couple of years ago or so, because it is said by Labour to have too few problems!

Given the abundance of unsafe road and footpath potholes and build up of litter and road channel muck etc that inhibits drainage, if elected, will Mr Garrity be arguing the case for the local Area Forum maintenance budget to be restored back to the same level enjoyed in Labour areas - or will Mr Garrity's primary concern be showing loyalty to the Labour Council leadership? I suggest that his most important commitment should be to ensure Bromley Cross gets something back in return for the vast amount of taxes the Labour Council gathers in from the ward each year. A cleansing machine sweep of local roads and paths once or twice per year is a complete disgrace.

S J Pearce

Bromley Cross