Absolutely right, some meetings are not only useful but vital to share knowledge, actually make a plan that can be adhered to, and to illuminate the higher-ups about how software engineering actually works on a practical level.

I'm always up for 'fruitful collaboration' but everyone who's there has to be able to listen and adjust their point of view if need be. Cooperation is the name of the game.

Talking of the co-operation - I used to do the Harry Worth too. Funnily enough one of them was a now long-closed Co-op department store!