I AM prompted to write by the letter published in last week's Citizen, written by the leader of the Morecambe Bay Independents, Cllr Tricia Heath.

Like Cllr Heath, I also believe that 'the truth will always find a way out' and I also agree with her assessment of the deputy leader of the Labour party, Cllr Ian Barker, that based on his past performance in acting as an elected member he is totally unsuitable to hold such a position of power or influence.

His defence of the Salt Ayre Phase two (swimming pool) projects which overspent by circa £2 million being his latest most recent example.

I am pleased to read that the truth concerning Blobbygate will soon be entering the public domain. It's a pity that the District Auditor has taken so long (three years?) and that the cost (over £0.5 million) will be picked up by local ratepayers.

Cllr Heath tells us that she and her fellow independents stand for truth and openness in local government.

I welcome such a statement from any councillor but sadly there is still little evidence to support this claim.

Prior to the local elections the MBI group promised this area accountability and also a truthful and full account of the departure of the town clerk, Mr Burrows, which cost ratepayers £100k.

It is now some considerable time since the MBIs were elected as the majority group at the town hall and the costly departure of Mr Burrows still remains a mystery.

Such a response of silence is typical of that of the previous administration (ie Cllr Barker and his cronies).

Two major construction projects, the Millennium Bridge and the new bus station at Lancaster have been completed (like Salt Ayre phase two, both completed late) since the MBI group were put in their position of power at the town hall.

As Cllr Heath is so committed to accountability could she please inform me and local ratepayers through the Citizen of;

the approved budgets prior to commencement of construction work on site

the total final costs

of both these projects as well as fulfilling the pre-election promise to explain Mr Burrows' departure.

As usual I look forward to reading her response in a future issue of the Citizen.

Public Servant