READING Councillor Connolly's damnation of Councillor Bibby (Opposition party does not have to balance the books'), I noticed a few words directed at Councillor Bibby which one could conceive relate to Councillor Connolly - "emotive language", "vacuous comments" and "grandstanding".

However, I should like to take Coun Connolly to task on his comments regarding Bury MBC's performance.

To quote Councillor Connolly he has a "desire to minimise Council Tax rises". Explain this when in 1997/98 Band C was £631 and in 2006 the same band is £1092.03.

Quite a substantial rise, considering Bury is still treading water trying to balance the books.

You mention Band D; maybe this is one of the lowest. But check out Band C and you will find that out of six local authorities Bury is the highest. These are facts Coun Connolly.

Children's Spending. You may have invested 1.5m, but why do other authorities spend more per head than Bury? Oldham spends £733 per head compared to Bury's £505.

Satisfaction ratings you quote at 80.4 and 77.6 per cent. You fail to mention a percentage of what.

Also 10 out of 14 parks get accreditations.Why not 14 out of 14? So only part of Bury is the greenest.

Then there is the problem of Fairfield (the planned closure of Ward 30). Why the lack of political support to retain services under threat at Fairfield, which is evident by your silence. To sum up Coun Connolly, your priorities seem to be parks and Bury Market. Correct me if I am wrong, but the council tried to close the market down and relocate it not too far in the past. The facts and figures are there for all to see and a little more transparent than Bury MBC policies.

DAVE OGDEN Countess Lane, Radcliffe