I’M genuinely torn by the concept of the ‘Bucks Debates’ in which our councillors are asking the public to attend to help them work out ways of saving money.

Yes, it is a way for them to show us how difficult their jobs are and how hard it is going to be to make these cuts.

It’s a great PR exercise for them, and means they are involved in genuine public consultation because anyone and their mother can attend these meetings and suggest ways to make savings.

My latest idea would be to cut every single councillor and have just one elected mayor for each district who we can boot out of office every four years if they don’t cut the mustard. Contrary to what most people think, councillors don’t actually earn much money in their civic roles, but the combined total would amount to a fair saving.

But, like most people, I change my mind like the wind, and although I am fairly well informed, I am not as informed as a councillor should be. They are given access to a wealth of information, including confidential papers the public aren’t allowed to see. And they have the advantage of expert advice from highly-trained and experienced officers.

In other words, people like you and me aren’t up to the job of making these massively important decisions. We elected our councillors to do that for us.

The Bucks Debates should provide important public feedback and are worthwhile for that reason. But don’t let them ever tell us we taxpayers are responsible for the ultimate vital decisions. That’s their jobs – and our recourse is through the ballot box.