RECENTLY I found myself in a debate - argument even - with a man who claimed that my home and garage was owned by Bury Council.

Bury Council is a group of 48 councillors who do not, on winning election, purchase a share of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury. All property within the borough, with the exception of that which is privately owned, belongs to the citizens of Bury and is public property.

If the people of Bury remember that they are the masters of the council, rather than their servants, then fewer unpopular decisions would be taken by councillors. So whenever the chance arises, remind the councillors that they are, in fact, public servants.

R. MILES

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.