After the mayor had given his opening speech, they declined to question him - expected to last at least an hour - and moved straight to a debate and vote on the budget.
The other question lurking in the woodwork stems from my opening explanation about the four county councils and one unitary authorities that are going to the polls.
This was an eye-opening experience and one that always left me asking the question - how does one, who sacrifices so much and serves their country with honor and respect, find themselves is such a helpless and hopeless state?