SIR - I write following reports of council tax rises being used to further the interests of fat cats and hangers on.

Regarding salaries, perks and gold-plated ring-fenced pensions, one wonders on the situation regarding our own local government.

The Local Government Association said: "the wages attract the best managers". Maybe they should consult John Shearon on bin collection, pot holes and other basics before embarking on PC projects and non-entities.

Keep at it John via the News', and some day maybe others will see you as the wake-up call before we all disappear into ignomity!

E W TAYLOR, Redditch.