I REFER to the letter from Mr Hockey of Verwood (Daily Echo, October 17) entitled ‘Real issues are not addressed’.

Leaving aside the issue of the proposed wind farm, there are other issues raised in his letter to which I need to respond.

The issue of car parking charges is always controversial, but in Bournemouth they have hardly changed over the past five years and we still have a very competitive lead-in rate of 2 hours for £1 in the town centre – hardly expensive by any measure. Compared to most tourist areas, Bournemouth’s charges are fair and offer the local taxpayer good value for money.

Mr Hockey is also critical of the council in terms of the provision of swimming and ice facilities. Bournemouth has some of the best swimming pool and leisure facilities in the area for residents and visitors but is working hard to attract private sector investment to provide more, probably as part of a mixed leisure scheme as both water and ice almost always lose money unless supported by other facilities.

In the meantime the level of investment in cinemas and restaurants, rather than bars, is set to increase, because that is where the private sector has decided to invest.

However, the council is also investing heavily in tourism through the Seafront Strategy and in other areas where we can stimulate the local economy and attract further investment from the private sector.

As a resident of Verwood, Mr Hockey can enjoy the Bournemouth Air Festival (the largest show in Europe) completely free of charge, along with the Wheels Festival, the Arts Festival and the many other events and entertainment at the waterfront. No other resort in the UK offers so much to residents and tourists and it is rare to receive criticism of this kind from someone who obviously enjoys what Bournemouth has to offer for free.

It is very easy to criticise but I think it is completely wrong to say that “common sense is rare” when the council under this administration has not increased council tax bills for the past four years and is actively building a better Bournemouth to underpin the local economy and generate jobs and growth.

CLLR LAWRENCE WILLIAMS, cabinet member for tourism, leisure and culture, Bournemouth council