In her letter (Jan 23), Cllr Anne Wood was highly critical of the cabinet system being operated at Castle Point Council.

I would like to assure her and Echo readers that this system is working very well.

The old committee system created endless meetings, delaying decisions and wasting hours of councillor and officer time.

The cabinet system is more efficient and results in faster decisions, which aids the council’s running and benefits our community.

Backbench members still have an important role to play. They are able to sit on policy development groups where they can focus on the detail of important issues.

Recent working groups have looked at anti-social behaviour at King George V playing fields and how residents can have a greater role in decision making.

Just as importantly, the new system frees up councillors allowing them to work more closely with their constituents.

Councillors play a valuable role supporting and assisting their community. They cannot do that if their time is taken up with meetings. Finally, cabinet meetings are not held behind closed doors. Residents are welcome to come and see how things work.

Councillor Wood has not yet been to a cabinet meeting. I would like to extend an invitation to her to attend a meeting at her convenience in the near future.

Residents who cannot make it to the council offices can watch the webcast of our meetings on the council’s website, either live or at a time to suit them.

Why not take a look and see for yourself?

Cllr Pamela Challis
Leader of Castle Point Council
Kiln Road
Thundersley