SIR -At a meeting of Worcestershire County Council on May 18, 2000, I put the following question to the so-called Liberal Democrat/Labour controlled council.

"Corporate management means a more moral, intelligent and economic utilisation of scarce resources".

Members voted, many with reservations, for the Worcester park-and-ride scheme; with pleasure for the city's new public library, but with serious concerns in respect of the drain on scarce resources of The Swan Theatre's annual grant.

These expenditure items and others in the city from scarce county council resources caused a considerable current and future revenue commitment.

Most revenue in Worcestershire spent on public services is collected in the north of the county. Redditch is among the highest payers of council tax in the county.

Yet this town supports its own Palace Theatre, to the tune of £281,120 in 2000/2001, or £5,400 per week.

But yet again in 2000/2001, The Swan Theatre in Worcester was to receive a major part of the cultural and community services committee allocation to the arts, namely £27,194. Worcester received other grants too from this limited budget.

What plans has the chairman of the policy and resources committee, in conjunction with members of the corporate management team, to address this apparent imbalance in resource allocation by this council?

I rest my case!

TOM WAREING,

Redditch,

Worcestershire.

YOU'RE slightly behind the times, Councillor Wareing. Since the dates you mention, a new management has taken over the Swan Theatre. The figures you quote are not relevant to present fiscal arrangements. Letters Editor.