HAVING been to Christopher Whitehead School and observed the SOS Group, I was minded to think about the processes going on.

Why is it that our elected officials are always reacting to proposals for the Westside of the city? Is there a strategic plan for St John's for the next 10 years?

Why do we appear not to have an integrated plan to address the issues that will face us in this area of the city over the next decade such as education, transport and housing?

Like it or not, the people of St John's will have to make some tough choices in addressing these areas - yet our city and county council is always on the "back foot" responding to commercial organisations wishing to cash-in on the area. At the last count, this included four supermarket chains.

While I have some sympathy with our councils being short of cash, and considering any proposals that will make their tasks easier, they are primarily there to promote and develop the area for the benefit of all the people.

They are not there to solve the problems of financial shortfalls by compromising this role to commercial enterprises who do everything for profit and nothing for the community.

It is about time that our city and county councils had a full and frank debate with the residents in the west of the city of Worcester that would enable a more proactive approach, not only in the area of planning, but education and transport and so on.

MARTIN JOHNSON,

Lower Wick,

Worcester.