SIR, — Re the letter from Vanessa Gregory (Herts Advertiser, December 4). I think I speak for all senior officers and reflect my experience of the political groups when I say that as much of St Albans District Council s business is conducted within the pu

SIR, - Re the letter from Vanessa Gregory (Herts Advertiser, December 4). I think I speak for all senior officers and reflect my experience of the political groups when I say that as much of St Albans District Council's business is conducted within the public domain as possible in order to be transparent and open about our policy development and decision making.

Some matters must be considered in private under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972. These are where there are specific legal reasons, need for confidentiality relating to Human Resource issues or commercial confidentiality.

However, even when we start by thinking that a piece of business might be private, we try to move as much of it as possible into the public arena. Indeed there are many recent examples where this has been the case.

DANIEL GOODWIN,

Chief Executive, St Albans District Council.