SIR - I am delighted to see that you have been running a poll to ask readers if they feel the money spent on the Cornmarket Street seats in Oxford represents good value for the taxpayer.
This was the question I asked of Oxford's Labour leaders at the city council meeting. Their reply was simple - the Cornmarket seats are what the public want.
If this is what they believe, I can only assume that no Labour councillor has talked to members of the public recently.
The response I hear around Oxford is one of utter disbelief that the council could have spent so much on so few seats.
After the Millennium Dome, perhaps none of us should be surprised by Labour's latest fiasco.
But having gone to such expense, you would have thought the least they could have done was to position the seats the right way round.
Instead, those shoppers who wish to sit down - rather than perch uncomfortably - to eat their sandwiches are forced to stare blankly into shop windows, rather than face out into the street and enjoy the Cornmarket vista.
Your readers will be reassured, however, to discover that Labour leader Alex Hollingsworth has denied the seats cost £240,000, as you reported. Apparently the true figure is "only" (his word, not mine) £150,000.
It is strange that Labour - usually so keen to spin their triumphs - has been shy to point out this alleged error.
I look forward to reading his letter in your columns defending what good value the seats are.
STEPHEN TALL (Councillor)
Headington Ward
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