AS a member of Kidderminster Civic Society, which is now 10 years old, I would like to point out that the society acts as a focus for those of us who care about the appearance and development of the town.

Many, like myself, have been brought to despair by the failure of district councillors, of whatever political party, to be effective in making Kidderminster visually attractive.

I now see the value of single-issue politics and I am proud to have been called a "veteran campaigner" against Crown House.

It has become clear that the district council is starved of funds by the Government.

Wyre Forest District Council collects the Council Tax and then is obliged to hand much of the money to the county council and to the Police Authority. This is a rotten system.

Unfortunately, no existing or prospective district councillor will seek to raise the level of Council Tax, fearing electoral unpopularity.

Thus Kidderminster is a town of private affluence and public squalor.

This is a serious problem for local democracy, such that membership of the district council is likely to be sought by those who would rather preside over a hopeless mess than actually campaign for improvements.

The civic society is a source of hope for the town. May it flourish.

MARGARET BRADLEY

Comberton Avenue

Kidderminster