DEAR anonymous (Globe, October 2), Hoylake Conservative councillors have become rather upset that I pointed out the striking similarity between your letter's themes and their emails to me.

Both contain rather forcefully put demands for Glyphosate spraying on Hoylake beach while also expressing deep frustration with the current system of governance in Wirral Borough Council, but that must just be a coincidence.

In response to your other issues, I would like to point out that I was given the Environment and Climate Change portfolio because of a life long interest in and commitment to protecting the environment.

Apart from taking United Nations Climate Change training, I am lucky enough to work with a team of experts that can provide advice on policy decisions and I have set up a Coastal Advisory Group of local University experts in beach and dune conservation.

I also listen to residents' views.

While a relatively small number of people have contacted me expressing a desire to spray and rake Hoylake beach, the majority have expressed concerns that Glyphosate is dangerous and should not be used.

This is also the view of full council, who voted in July to end the use of this controversial chemical.

When beaches were put into my portfolio at the end of August, I asked officers to stop spraying and raking.

We are now reviewing how the beach should be managed.

On a number of occasions I have offered the local Conservative councillors the chance to suggest compromise solutions that might satisfy those in favour of a highly artificial, raked beach and those in favour of a natural, sand dune beach environment.

You say that I am breaking a contract with Natural England, the Government body that overseas management of Hoylake beach, by not spraying and raking as NE have ordered us to.

This is completely wrong and really does show who has "zero knowledge".

NE have never ordered us to spray Glyphosate.

They gave us permission after we requested this years ago.

In our current environment and climate emergency they would not grant such permission today. Habitat conservation is their priority.

I met the NE officer in charge of the North West coastline and he supports a much more pro nature approach to beach management that takes into account both the need to protect wildlife and natural flood defence.

As sea levels rise due to climate change, the residents of Hoylake may well become increasingly glad that the beach and dunes have been allowed to accrete naturally and provide additional defence.

Cllr Liz Grey, cabinet member for environment and climate change