YOUR readers really must stop moaning about their Council Tax and learn to look on the bright side.

At the present rate of progress, the D band Council Tax should hit the £2,000 mark in no time at all. When that happens there is a remote chance (I put it no higher) that the general public will start to take an interest in local government.

People might, for instance, ask whether Worcestershire needs a county council and six district councils. Wouldn't it be quite sufficient to have two unitary councils for north and south Worcestershire respectively? Think of the money that would save. As for the idea of a regional assembly: forget it. It would just eat money.

Closer to home they could ask whether Malvern needs to be represented by four county councillors, 13 district councillors and 20 town councillors. About half that number should suffice. They could also question whether we need a town centre manager as well as a town clerk.

Then there is the cost of local government pensions and early retirement benefits. The cost of paying off local government officers in their 50s, so they can take up a second career, is simply enormous. The town council will be saddled for years to come with the burden of the very generous terms given to the former town clerk.

Then, of course, there are stressed out teachers, policemen and fireman queuing up for early retirement as well. At a time when private sector pension schemes are in melt down and household names such as ICI, Rolls Royce and British Telecom are having to close their final salary schemes to new entrants, why should the tax payer be forced to guarantee the final salary schemes of local government officers?

Remember, last year MHDC spent £4m of its "capital expenditure" on consolidating pension contributions. Why should local government officers be in the privileged position of being able to put their hands in our pockets for some more money whenever there is a deficit in their pension fund? Shouldn't the public and private sectors be on the same wicket when it comes to pensions? (You won't hear this being discussed in Parliament because MP's enjoy the same benefits as civil servants).

Another thousand on the council taxes is the quickest way of bringing us all to our senses. Maybe we will then ask what councils do and whether we want them to do it.

ALISTAIR MACMILLAN, Alexandra Lane, Malvern.