So, my first experience of full council meeting and I must say I am horrified.

Is this what our taxes go towards?

Legitimate questions asked by councillors looking for answers on behalf of local residents were mocked and ridiculed by Cliff Morris, Nick Peel and company — without any actual answers as they played 'PM questions'.

Cllr Martin asked a question on behalf or residents affected by bus changes in the borough seeking help and support from our transport representatives and was given a long rambling answer by Cllr Chadwick about the history of public transport, a veiled refusal to do anything about supporting residents to get the 68 bus route back and a half hearted commitment to support the newly formed Bus Users Forum.

Cllr Hayes asked a question on behalf of Westhoughton residents about housing being built at Lee Hall and was duly criticised for asking it because he wasn't the representative for Westhoughton — despite none of the elected Labour councillors from the area being too willing to ask the question on behalf of the residents they claim to represent. Cllr Peel shouting criticism at members of the public who chose to attend because they dared asked for actual answers to the questions instead of answers to questions they didn't ask.

Every councillor and staff member at the three hour meeting were paid to be there by the taxpayer. Thousands of pounds thrown down the drain so councillors can laugh and jeer at each other instead of giving straightforward answers to straightforward questions.

Do they not understand that whilst they sit hurling insults and playing parliament that people out in the town are struggling to get by? A town where last year the vacancy rates for shops were in the top 10 worst in the North of England. Where around one in three children live in poverty. Where we have homeless people queuing up for support from the many charities that have been set up to support them. Where the hourly rate of pay is the lowest throughout Greater Manchester. Where blind and disabled people no longer have access to adequate public transport because they can't get support from their own representatives to fight for them.

Residents deserve councillors who have integrity and transparency, who will answer questions honestly and fight for the people of Bolton, no matter the personal cost to themselves. Bolton doesn't have that at the moment. We have a dedicated few — across all parties may I add — who have the best interest of the town at heart. It's such a shame.

Kev Walsh

Harper Green