AT the council meeting on November 2, the council resolved to support the introduction into Parliament of two Bills: the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill and the Management of Energy Bill which set out practical ways of enabling householders to reduce the greenhouse emissions from their domestic heating and hot water systems and at the same time save themselves money by reducing their electricity and gas bills.

The resolution had the full support of both the Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors. So you can imagine our astonishment and disappointment when the Conservative councillors, en-bloc, refused to support it.

Instead they sat on their hands and abstained without even offering to put an amendment to the resolution or properly explaining their decision not to support the resolution. We were still somewhat mystified after the meeting but we have since learned that the Conservatives in Parliament took the same line.

The result was that, last Friday, whilst the Sustainable Energy Bill received its second reading and will therefore go forward for detailed scrutiny, the Management of Energy in Buildings bill was blocked by Conservative MPs. Perhaps that is what was behind the Conservative Councillors refusal to join with Labour and Liberal Democrat colleagues in Bury's council chamber on November 2.

If so then it is a sad reflection on their claims to be committed to safeguarding the environment and the interests of their constituents

COUNCILLOR WAYNE CAMPBELL

Leader of the council

COUNCILLOR TIM PICKSTONE

Leader, Liberal Democrat councillors