The Conservatives are attempting to rewrite history by saying it was not always easy for opposition councillors to scrutinise spending (The Argus, May 14).

Labour set up both the cross-party budget review group and the audit committee so that all parties had every opportunity to understand the financial position of the council in as much detail as they wanted.

Given such full access to the books, it was disappointing that the Conservatives' entire budget proposals for the coming year consisted of one road crossing.

Significant spending on consultants is something Labour was always concerned about and we ensured it was always discussed and voted on at cross-party committee meetings. Strange then that the Conservatives should now criticise their use on issues such as housing stock when they voted through the expenditure.

Simon Burgess, former leader, Brighton and Hove City Council, Preston Road, Brighton