ACCORDING to News Shopper, Bexley Tory leader Councillor Ian Clement has accused the borough's Labour-run administration of spending council cash on "pet projects".

Perhaps he could be more specific, so residents can form their own judgement as to whether such expenditure has been justified.

Looking around the borough, I see new, extended and refurbished libraries, new leisure centres, new schools and long-overdue investment in projects such as Welling Station Approach and the Belvedere paddling pool.

I understand Labour council has also given financial support to the community safety action zones, which focus on anti-social behaviour, is running an Areas of Opportunity programme to support people in the borough's more disadvantaged areas and is putting extra resources into tackling graffiti.

Any of these might, I suppose, be described as a "pet project" but seems likely to have the support of a large section of the community.

Will Cllr Clement be honest enough to tell us which projects he means and whether he and his group have actively opposed any of this expenditure.

Or is he simply being disingenuous with the intent to mislead residents in the run-up to next year's elections?

CORINNA HUXLEY
Maple Leaf Drive
Sidcup