THE question that is begged here is why on earth it has taken Fife Council over four months to have a full council meeting or reinstate all their committees.

Democracy and public accountability have clearly been a very low priority in Fife.

Other Scottish councils were able to get their act together much earlier.

One issue with online meetings is that it gives conveners the extraordinary power to mute elected members when they say things they do not like.

Having been on the receiving end of such treatment, it is to be hoped that conveners of online committees are acutely aware of the potential to abuse this power.

On the other hand, putting all council meetings online gives the public a new opportunity to see what their elected representatives do, and I hope many Fifers will use that opportunity."

COUNCILLOR LINDA HOLT.