I AM surprised that the Labour group on Oxford City Council is set to abolish area committee meetings and replace them with area forums that would meet quarterly (Oxford Mail, April 13).

Considering that the Labour Party heralded area meetings as a progressive step of encouraging the public to take an active interest in their area and contribute towards planning decisions, to pull the rug away now with feeble excuses is a shame.

Generally, a PR exercise is used when those promoting it are sure that the result would be in their favour. Many prominent leaders have said they would have referenda on various issues when in power but funked it when they realised that public opinion would not deliver the result they sought.

It didn’t surprise me that the results of the questionnaire overwhelmingly supported the retention of area committees. I think council leader Bob Price was wrong to dismiss it as being of no significance, because the number returned was small.

This displays sheer arrogance and a disservice to the public who took time and trouble to return the questionnaire.

As councillor Stephen Brown says: “What is the point of having a consultation and then appearing not to take any notice of it?”

VIM RODRIGO, Rivermead Road, Rose Hill, Oxford