The issues involving democracy and the democratic processess of the council are a concern.

The chief executive's claim that the final costing of our mall will be treated as commercially confidential makes a mockery of transparency, performance management, democratic accountability and community engagement from our third tier of government.

Finally, how can elected members of the council carry out their monitoring, scrutiny role on behalf of their constituents – the public, taxpayers and service users – if commercial in confidence is used to prevent that governance and scrutiny?

Or, do our councillors care about their role in a democratic society?

BILL COLLIER,

Golden Square