Surprise attack

I’ve known Tony as an Arun councillor in the Tory group, who later became an Independent, and I fully understand his reasoning.

Tony brought a colour to council meetings. When I brought a cost saving item to council some years ago, which the cabinet rejected, it was Tony who supported me and changed the minds on the indifferent Tory backbenchers, who then voted the item through.

He did not stand at the last council elections and I was truly sorry, because we need strong characters like him, and if he had stood and won he would be a part the opposition.

Had he been at the council meeting on December 8, he would seen the Lib-Dems attacking the Tories over an issue relating to the Bogor Regis Regeneration Board, an issue we have been pursuing for a while.

You can tell when people in power are feeling vulnerable, they lose their temper. And one cabinet member did just that, to such an extent that even the some of the Tories felt embarrassed. During this the Labour members said nothing.

As regards scrutiny at Arun, the Lib-Dems have refused to co-operate, not because we disagree with scrutiny, but because at Arun it is not effective.

It is held in private, the Lib-Dems are not allowed to chair any committees, some of the Tory members take little interest in the proceedings and most items are submitted by officers and then endorsed. If a member comes with a new initiative it is rarely pursued.

Tony mentions allowances for opposition leaders.

They were heavily reduced last year in order to give the cabinet members a four per cent increase in their allowances.

Tony was member for Barnham, and recently another Tory member for Barnham turned Independent and has now resigned. It’s a shame they couldn’t stand and fight.

David Biss

Arun councillor for Bognor Orchard ward

Carina Drive

Angmering