LAST week Citizen Smith in response to my last letter to the Citizen asked two questions.

First, what was my view on the financial management of the Blobby affair?

Well, this has been argued and debated over two or three years now in your columns, in the council chamber and elsewhere. Council itself agreed to leave the matter for investigation by the District Auditor whose report is awaited.

I supported that and think all must now wait for that report and not prejudge it.

Secondly, I repeat that the Winter Gardens is not the financial responsibility of the council. Yes, the council did make contributions to ensure that it became weatherproof, etc as part of the first phase of its restoration, but the council does not own the building.

Responsibility lies with the arrangements between the Buildings at Risk Trust and Barnfield Construction Ltd. who have legal responsibility for the building. Further involvement, if any, by the city would, in my view, depend on their proposals for its future.

Cllr Abbott Bryning

Labour Group leader

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