AS a newcomer to the area I have been struck by the obvious efforts recently made to make Lancaster and Morecambe more attractive places to live, such as the work on the front at Morecambe, and the pedestrianisation of town centres.

If the former Labour administration was responsible for these developments, it is a shame they have been voted out.

I have tried to find out from the local papers who or what the MBI is, what its policies area, and how it funds its campaigning. It is not necessarily a good thing to have a local council ruled by a loose assortment of people who appear to have no broad, long-term policies or strategies for the area. Unlike members of political parties proper, they have no back up of party expertise, experience and policies to help them to perform their duties. Even the small Green Party provides a degree of such back up.

Regarding 'Blobbygate' it appears possible that Mr Henig and his party paid the price for a mistake made by councillors of all persuasions, as every party thought at the time that it was a good idea and voted for it. This is unfair.

Accusations of secrecy have been made against the Labour council, and yet the council follows normal practice in, for example, making meetings open to the public. All councils quite properly keep some matters, such as sub judice affairs and certain personnel matters, private. Obviously, papers such as yours can play a role in keeping the public informed by reporting on meetings of the various committees.

If the incoming MBIs, or anyone else, thinks things haven't been done properly, let them submit concrete proposals for changes in policies and practice. If they can't it suggests that the secrecy allegations have been little more than meaningless smears. The same applies to promises to listen to the people. Hopefully, all councillors will take measures, perhaps through your pages, to publicise surgeries and/or telephone numbers where they can be contacted. Regarding allegations of racism: media discussions of far-right extremist groups in the wake of the recent nail bomb attacks reminded us that intolerance and hatred of minorities is, sadly, all too real.

Mr Dawson's letter to you was, perhaps, over the top, but it seems that his heart is in the right place.

I invite all new councillors to affirm their support for equal opportunities policies in local government, in both employment procedures and service delivery.

K Heath

Vincent Street,

Lancaster.

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