Paul Van Looy (June 3) is trying to justify his decision to sit as a councillor on only two working parties and one outside body by suggesting he can turn up to any Southend Council committee and speak anyway.

We were previously told the delay was “while he learnt the ropes”, but now he seems able to advise us all on council procedure – except, of course, he is wrong.

It is not the case that any councillor can just turn up to any committee and speak. The opportunity for such input is limited, as otherwise we might as well put all 51 councillors on everything!

He also tells us he is working with his group who will soon be issuing details of its policies.

That should be interesting, as we are always being told that they are not a formal party and have no common line or policies, but are only in a formal group to obtain adequate representation on committees.

Finally, he suggests the town has a record deficit and disastrous policies.

The current borrowing level is in line with most other authorities and in accordance with Government expectations. If he thinks it should be less, then what are the list of council-funded initiatives over recent years which he would not have undertaken?

Certainly no opposition was voiced by his party colleagues during past budget debates or when reviewing the regular treasury management reports.

As for policies, I suggest he reads the many recent external reports on council services before he makes unfounded and incorrect assertions.

Alternatively he could earn his council allowance and actually attend some committees when he might find out the actual position.

Nigel Holdcroft
Leader, Southend Council
Civic Centre
Southend

...I write in relation to comments made about Paul Van Looy’s decision to not be a member of scrutiny committees in his first year as a councillor.

I chaired the meeting of the group of Independent councillors to discuss who wanted to be involved in working parties or committees.

Mr Van Looy, having heavily canvassed his ward in the run up to the election, heard from a large majority of residents that they felt neglected and they hardly ever saw their local councillors walking the streets of the ward and therefore not being available to hear their concerns.

He has already established links with officers of the council and is actively working on a number of projects which residents have asked for during his campaigning.

Mr Van Looy took his decision on the basis, that as a councillor he can, of course, attend and speak on any subject he wishes at any committee.

He is also a member of the biggest scrutiny committee of the lot, where minutes of every other committee/working party can be reserved for further scrutiny.

That committee is, of course, full council and he will be ever present on this, the most important of committees.

I suggest the attacks from other party councillors show they still do not fully understand the needs of their residents and can only be based upon fear of the ever-growing popularity of us Independent councillors.

Ron Woodley
Tyrone Road
Southend