THE Echo has recently published a series of letters with the differing opinions of Geoff Cooper and Councillor David Smith in respect of the workings of the crime commissioner and what is now called the precept, a tax to the ordinary person in the street.

I read Cllr Smith’s most recent letter where he asserts that he has never known an organisation ‘that regularly consults with the public quite as much as our council. The public’s views are taken into account and are always considered before decisions are made’.

And he then goes on to mention the Trevor Osborne scheme and of the facility for ‘calling in’ decisions.

I take issue with Cllr Smith’s assertions of there being full transparency within the council cabinet and scrutiny meetings.

As someone who has regularly attended council meetings over the years one only has to mention the Imax and the surf reef debacles, or even of yesteryear, the issue of the BIC swimming pool closure – where the public’s views were blatantly ignored by the most senior executive and cabinet members.

For Cllr Smith to round off his letter by stating that ‘the public would expect nothing less’ in respect of issues of crime affecting Bournemouth residents and visitors, is quite frankly a disingenuous attempt to garner public sympathy for himself and his colleagues.

Steve Hamilton,

Bath Road,

Bournemouth