GREEN Cllr Jon Barry's silly invective and allegations of 'childish behaviour' by the Labour group who he says only seek 'to cause trouble' by not joining as all-party council cabinet can be contemptuously ignored, as can his references to 'Green West Lancaster', 'Independent Morecambe' and 'Tory rural areas' as though they were party fiefdoms.

His call for unity avoids the question that only the Greens are opposed to any bypass, western or northern, yet all the other four parties want an M6 link and that is the policy of the council and cabinet he supports.

Solving the transport/traffic problem is probably the district's biggest problem which the new cabinet must face, yet the first call from the new Independent Leader of the cabinet last week was the need to dream up a new name for the Lancaster district! -- Such priorities! Let Jon reflect on that.

The Labour position is that we should not, at the moment, take up our places in the new cabinet. The Government's proposals for review or scrutiny boards to complement and monitor the work of cabinet offers us instead an opportunity to do just that, not to oppose for the sake of it as Jon Barry alleges, but to initiate an objective, considered and constructive approach based on experience and informed opinion. To do so, we will co-operate with others on the review boards and exercise our rights to be considered for chairing these boards, as is allowed in the constitution, whether or not we participate in the cabinet.

Let me give an example of our positive approach to issues. At the last council meeting proposals by developers to acquire the Bubbles, Harbour Bandstand and Events Arena sites were heard in private. I questioned an inadequate report which made no mention of the terms of the lease sought.

The developers wanted a 999-year lease in return for £225,000 for the two arenas -- effectively as good as handing over the freehold!

As the Events Arena was reclaimed land I asked if there might be a clawback of coastal protection grant by MAFF -- again no clear answer was given.

Internet and other information led Labour also to doubt the guarantees and financial history of the development company and its directors.

This week we hear that Labour's fears were justified when a county court order banned the same individuals from acting as company directors for four years. We acted positively and decisively in the interest of the district. 'Childish behaviour,' Jon? 'Labour simply opposing and creating trouble', Jon? I think not.

Abbott Bryning

Leader, Labour Group

You raise some interesting points and the stance is to be applauded but if what you state above is your genuine criteria for a positive approach to issues could you address the following points on behalf of the group you have represented for so long?

Under which administration was freehold sold, or 999-year leases granted on, the following prime Morecambe sites: the bowling alley, the Platform pub, Morecambe TIC, the cinema, Fatty Arbuckles and the Winter Gardens?

You say traffic should be the highest priority for the new cabinet -- wasn't it last time? And what was achieved?

If you now feel the need to publicise the fact that you questioned 'inadequate' reports in committee can I ask you what you made of the then acting chief executive's report of 16 April 1998 or the former town clerk's report that assured councillors that all their concerns about the Blobby 'safety-net' side-letter had been addressed?

Stop being hypocrites... accept some of your responsibility for the profligacy demonstrated by this authority in the last two decades and maybe we stand a chance of making some progress.

Or perhaps you would prefer to continue to bash each other over the head, scoring petty political points for ever more, while the public pays for your folly -- Ed.