In a bid to find out what local people really want from their elected representatives, I decided to visit every community council and a number of other organisations.

Since the turn of the year I have attended 63 public meetings and I can tell you it is the hardest work I've ever done in my life.

Talking is the easy bit, it's the listening and providing the answers that is tough. I suspect that is why politicians nowadays seem to hold far fewer public sessions. Answering letters and emails is a lot easier.

I'll never forget one public meeting I attended during the Mayoral campaign. As one candidate read from a carefully prepared speech filled with buzzwords and jargon, she spoke of encouraging IT access for senior citizens. I could see she had completely lost the two old ladies in the front row.

They asked me afterwards why the other candidate wanted them to go and see the film about an alien. When I explained she was talking about computers, not ET, they smiled and promised to vote for me, adding: "We can understand what you mean."

I've always believed it is important to use plain speak, not try to dress things up in jargon. Politicians sometimes make the mistake of focusing simply on the short term when speaking to the public; they think that's what will win them votes.

But in my round of meetings I have found the public are well aware of the need for medium and long term planning. What was pleasing was that they actually offered some solutions.

One retired gentleman with an interest in transport issues, handed me a fascinating document he had drawn up. It was his solution to the road congestion that can bring parts of Middlesbrough to a standstill. The highways department is now studying it.

Another, an architect, had taken the trouble to prepare a document on how various buildings in the town could be enhanced.

Councillors sometimes make the mistake of concentrating solely on their own wards - figuring no doubt that's the best way to win local votes.

In fact, I have found the public clearly grasp the concept that the town centre is the engine room of any area. When shoppers or tourists come to town that is where they go.

By investing in the town centre you attract more visitors and more businesses, which, in turn, provide jobs for people living on the estates.

Of course, that's not to say you deprive the estates of the services they are entitled to. Through the public meeting I discovered some people who were promised new doors 30 years ago are still waiting - hopefully they won't have to wait too much longer.

I found the people who turned up at the meetings were not as demanding as some might think. They clearly realise that these days the council has to be very careful what it spends money on.

But, inevitably there were some who asked the impossible.

Anyone who has visited Middlesbrough will know the A66 runs right through the centre of the town on a series of flyovers.

One man said this was an eyesore and, if I stood again as Mayor and wanted his vote, I would have to promise to lower the A66 to street level.

I told him I wouldn't do it.

It will be interesting to see if any other politician will commit £10m of public spending to win one vote.

Published: 01/04/2005