Gary Porter, leader of South Holland District Council, claims "members deserve more for what they do" (Spalding Guardian, May 1).


Unfortunately he fails to tell us just what our councillors actually do.


We know, of course, they should attend council meetings (names and numbers not disclosed) and that ten are appointed to the decision-making Cabinet which meets approximately each month.


Beyond this we are kept in the dark. So how can we possibly give any credence to what Coun Porter says – he is, after all, effectively the councillors' shop steward and "he would say that. wouldn't he?"


As you point out, the council approves the figures after receiving recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel. However, the council does not have to accept them.


Curiously, members of the panel are briefed by the chief executive and also consult with councillors at will, yet incredibly, according to the head of member services, there is no legislative requirement to consult the council tax payers.


I am informed that "it is not appropriate for the public to correspond directly with individual members of the Remuneration Panel. Indeed it is apparently "not appropriate for the addresses of the members of the panel to be released".


So taxpayers pay but have no say. Who says things are getting better?


According to South Holland District Council, the panel has regard to comments from the public that appear in the local press.
So take a bow, Mr Editor, and please rouse your readers – the taxpayers of South Holland.

Alfred J French