I feel I should apologise for my impenitent behaviour towards Alan McCarthy, strategic director of the council.

I now find Mr McCarthy has only the best intentions for our city. Being a local person he would, of course, fully understand the problems our city has incurred over the past few decades.

He realises that he has to do things which are unpopular and he knows the buck stops with him and is prepared to answer his critics,

I find Alan McCarthy has good, strong leadership skills and I never thought I would find myself writing a letter like this.

I do not consider it a weakness to say sorry to Mr McCarthy but a strength of character on my part - if only our councillors had the same attitude.

-Brian Ralfe, Eaton Manor, Hove