Be thankful for scrutiny (From Western Telegraph)

Be thankful for scrutiny

DEAR EDITOR - The ratepayers of Pembrokeshire should be grateful to the opposition of Councillors Williams, Allen, Cavill, Sinnett, Bowen, Philpin, Brinsden and Stoddart to the questionable decision to award Mr Parry Jones a salary increase.

That 54 of the 60 council members have no say is deplorable. That four members forced through the resolution behind closed doors suggests some representatives aren't averse to conduct approaching corruption. The question I would ask is not whether Mr Parry Jones should be awarded an increase, but why has he not received a cut in salary? Our rates are an increasingly heavy burden and the claim that we're the lowest in Wales is a politically dishonest way of saying our rates are the 'least outrageous'. Mr Parry Jones presides over an ever expanding bureaucracy which has created the most costly and top heavy administration Pembroke-shire has known. Mr Parry Jones, his band of executives, and his 'friends within' Pembrokeshire County Council must be scrutinised with vigilance to arrest the spending spree which is bringing financial hardship to so many ratepayers.

Grahame Barrett Carew.