Peace broke out all over the place at last night’s meeting of Walsall’s full council, a far cry from the fractious meeting which took place back in May. Many had had time to reflect on negative actions and responses which led to accusations that the council was returning to the bad old days prior to government intervention back in 2000.

The repercussions of the last meeting are perhaps, still simmering under the surface from those who are not prepared to take the advice from the aftermath of the May meeting, to draw a line in the sand and recognise that things were said and lines were crossed in the heat of the moment, and that now we should put it all behind us and move on.

Let us hope that last night’s meeting becomes the norm and not an exception.