MAY I respond to two letters from Derek Brooks, where he takes issue with the council's purchasing policies and our decision to take Executive meetings around the Borough's townships.

Concerning his first letter, (June 16, Councils should buy centrally at one price), may I simply say — we’ve done exactly that for many years. We collaborate with other councils to ensure we get the best deals available, and we're an associate member of the Yorkshire Purchasing Consortium, one of the biggest bulk buyers in the country. We currently participate in more than 40 “collaborative” contracts, and have secured major savings in respect of a range of commodities, including IT equipment, stationery, phones, children’s services social care, furniture, vehicles and energy.

We also recognise that big isn’t always best, and we support local enterprises and small businesses by opening up contracts to make it easier for them to bid for work, where they can add value and provide innovative solutions. Developing the Bury economy is a key Council objective — more details can be found on our website at bury.gov.uk/thechest Regarding Mr Brooks’ second letter, (June 23, Stage managed event for political gain), about taking the Executive out of the town hall: let me reassure readers that this is not a “Labour roadshow” or anything to do with “political gain”. Although Labour is the largest party, the Executive includes members from all three political parties on the council.

More importantly, when I became leader following the local elections, I promised that I would make the council more open and transparent. I, like many others, was unhappy with the previous administration which not only discouraged debate but actively stifled it.

This is why I have brought back meetings of the Executive, to be held in public, and allowing residents to ask questions about any council matter without having to submit them in advance.

I am also very keen to get around the whole of the borough. As part of that, I want to take meetings of the Executive to every township, starting on 13 July at Ramsbottom Civic Hall. We’re trying to become more local, to bring the town hall and its policies closer to the people who live and work here.

This is a genuine attempt to improve communication with our residents, and I urge people to come along to these meetings, and write to me via my blog on the council’s home web page, with their views.

We won’t please everybody all of the time, but we’re trying to make a fresh start here and I hope that people will accept that and play their part in improving local democracy.

Cllr Mike Connolly Leader of Bury Council