I AM proud to be part of a town where a number of councillors have such high principles that they are not afraid to face the voters and tell them that they are prepared to spend £3 million of taxpayers’ money (plus a yearly financial subsidy) on a new venue for a small section of the youth of the town.

This generous initiative is especially praiseworthy because it will provide a much needed backup to the many facilities such as gyms and studios already existing in the colleges and schools around the town.

These councillors are not afraid to tell us that they have a higher priority and a broader vision than the rest of us who selfishly voice concerns about the ongoing cuts in services to our most vulnerable and defenceless people or think that things like cutting the grass in parks and on verges or emptying dustbins or supplying an effective bus service is important.

People complain that Labour is not helpful to big business but they should look at some of our councillors who are leaping to use our council tax to bail out a development company which, in my opinion, acquired Mr Smiths at an inflated price, now finds that it has bought a pig in a poke, and is happy to offload it with all the benefits of appearing to be public-spirited as well as the convenient tax breaks.

I do think that we should be told the names of the councillors who support this capital venture so that we can thank them personally at the ballot box in May.

DR MICHAEL MURPHY
Longbarn