A RECENT report in the Bolton News commended a councillor for having a 100% attendance record in attending 73 meeting in a single year. Sadly this was not a recent matter but from the days when Bolton Council had committees which met once a month.

This included the full council and thus all councillors were involved in decision making. There was no need for emergency powers taken by a single councillor behind closed doors.

I beg to suggest that if, as I have previously advocated, Bolton Council returned to the more democratic and transparent committee system there would be no need for a decision to be taken by just one councillor leaving opposition councillors unable to oppose the decision as was the case with the recent approval by Councillor Morris to grant £300,000 to Asons without debate.

Councillor John Walsh OBE

Astley Bridge Ward

Bolton MBC