TIME and time again I have lambasted the incumbent council for passing plans or acknowledging plans that have been put forward by well known construction and building firms.

I owe the council an apology because the are following the correct procedure when quotes and plans are presented to them and, of course, they have to take into consideration the amount of work and outlay that these building firms present in their estimates.

It goes without saying that there are disgraceful practices within firms and thank goodness there is a watchdog keeping their eye on the public's purse.

Council is so dependent on these investigative procedures. I do worry that this is endemic because I have always been mindful that all big building firms have always fallen short of the true cost.

Look back on every project, whether the forthcoming Olympic Games here in 2012 and, in the past - Wembley Stadium or a block of flats down the road, costs increase a thousandfold once building has been started.

Can one wonder why the public moaned and groaned at the erection of such faceless flats - these reconstructions and newly constructed flats are, to say the least, faceless and without character. It almost goes without saying the buildings are constructed with the least possible outlay.

If these building firms are ready to pull the wool over the eyes of the council, how much further would they go to extract as much as they can from the public purse?

Needless to say, it all casts doubt on every large scale building works and they are a disgrace to firms which take pride at doing their best.

Give these firms a chance.

J MOORBY