IF Councillors Wright and Gunther relied on first-hand evidence rather than newspaper reports they might be able to understand what I really said and meant.

In no way was I suggesting the scrapping of area boards, but after seven years we do need to evaluate their success or otherwise.

We must also consider the next steps rather than be complacent.

As my old sparring partner, Coun Walker, remarked in council, we seem to have lost so many of the original co-opted organisations and we have to ask why.

Could it be they have voted with their feet because area boards have become repetitive talking shops' and, in some area boards, political platforms rather than forums for monitoring and developing council policies? I also question whether area boards should be treated simply as extended councillor surgeries. Indeed, I find it bizarre to hear councillors raising relatively minor issues, eg a street lamp, when they have direct access to the appropriate council officers. This is mere posturing which does not move forward efforts to develop consistent and coherent policies and performance.

Far from seeking to trivialise taxpayers' concerns, I want to enhance our consultative processes and encourage more individuals and organisations to get involved in developing and sustaining services appropriate to this borough.

With regard to engaging with local people, I have always held regular surgeries, attended residents' meetings etc, as well as being readily available by e-mail or on the phone.

That said, I feel it is now incumbent on those who have genuine concern to look at new ways of working.

How do we integrate the work of area boards, area tasking teams, area cleansing teams? How do we give more services a local brand? How do we devolve more decisions and responsibility to local communities? Can we have a greater devolution of budgets? These are just a few of the questions I was seeking to raise.

I now look to Couns Wright and Gunther to come forward with their ideas.

COUNCILLOR JOHN BYRNE Executive member, environment and transport