I feel I must respond to the letter from Cllr Butler (Guardian June 19) and his accusations
of my apparent rudeness and arrogant and childish behaviour on May 23 – accusations I deny.

What Cllr Butler fails to inform your readers is what my comments were.

I criticised the fact he had only attended one full council meeting out of seven in his first year as a councillor and his failure to speak at full council about any housing issues in his ward.

If questioning another councillor about his poor attendance is being arrogant, rude and
childish, then I must admit my guilt.

Maybe if Cllr Butler had attended more meetings and understood the system we have at Epping Forest District Council, he would also understand that the membership of the cabinet is based on the political makeup of the council, particularly when one group has a majority.

Maybe Cllr Butler attending more meetings will enable him to understand the workings of the council and he will be more factually correct in his comments in the future.

David Stallan,
District councillor for North Weald Bassett.