It is good that a healthy debate has begun in the wake of the statements made by various councillors concerning the openness of the new look Bradford Council.

Most encouraging are the public comments by members of the local planning sub-committee. For common sense dictates that the best decisions are those taken and implemented democratically, based on the will of the majority of people.

Cllr Cope states on the letters page today that members will be free to use their discretion in reaching decisions, subject to planning laws. Pressure to vote on party lines has also been abandoned.

Such comments should be music to the ears of campaigners for democracy and freedom of information.

But because of past events a level of cynicism is already creeping in - which is no bad thing. Suspicions are also being raised that the statements don't paint a full picture.

For example, how many times have planning appeals been granted further up the chain after the local authority has rejected them? How many unsatisfactory decisions have had to be made to comply with binding government imposed regulations?

It will not be good enough for elected representatives to say 'we voted against it - but were overruled'. The jury is out and will be out for some time, monitoring just how effective the new measures will be. It will be a test of the true metal of local politicians.

It is now even more vital that the voices of the people are part of this process.

Had there not been the outcry over the fears that the sewers couldn't cope with the demands of new homes, would independent consultants now have been brought in? We think not.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.