Dear Editor. - Councillor John Davies endeavours to justify the payment of such a high salary to the chief executive of Pembrokeshire County Council, by saying that: "Mr Parry-Jones manages a number of departments that in other county councils would be delegated to a deputy chief executive or a director on a high wage."

Why? Has he not got a deputy chief executive he can trust, or directors capable of doing their own jobs?

He adds: "It is time people looked beyond the boundaries of Pembrokeshire to see how things are done in the rest of the country." Does he mean they are not so well done in other counties because the officers are paid more realistic salaries?

DILLWYN MILES St Anthony's Way, Haverfordwest.

Dear Editor. - In the matter of the chief executive's (Pembrokeshire County Council) salary rise, Cllr John Davies advises the people of Pembrokeshire that "this is reality" (Western Telegraph 7/6/06).

It may well be the reality for the chief executive and the four councillors from the Independent Political Group who used their 4-2 majority on the senior staff committee to force this pay rise through (Cllrs John Davies, Mike Evans, John Allen-MireHouse and David Wildman).

However, the reality for the rest of us is, among other things, dilapidated and deteriorating areas for our children, consistent below average spending per head for vulnerable older people and children, inadequate facilities for our young people and far lesser paid council officers working under great pressure to provide services.

If £144,000 (plus perks) is reality in Pembrokeshire, 99.99% of us are living in cloud-cuckoo land.

Kate Becton County Councillor (Lab), Pembroke Dock Central.