SIR – I was disappointed to read the recent letter from Cllr Debbie Davies in which she alleges that I have refused ‘point-blank’ a request to install a memorial bench in Shipley Glen. This is incorrect as any requests for any type of memorial are merely being held in abeyance until a policy is established and any decision re these requests will be taken at that point. I clearly explained this to her and her ward colleagues at the time, and her letter seems to be more about political point-scoring rather than about trying to resolve what is a sensitive issue.

Some people want to remember loved ones by providing a bench or planting a tree in the deceased person’s favourite place, but others feel that certain countryside places are becoming too formalised by benches etc and have requested that the council limits them. This is an emotive and subjective issue on which I want to get a wide range of views and then work with people to reach an agreed approach which recognises the different points of view and can be applied consistently across the district.

Cllr Val Slater, Executive member for Housing, Planning and Transport, Bradford Council