SIR – A few days ago in these pages Dr George Lord, the leader of the county council, said that councillors don’t get paid to go to work.

A reasonable interpretation of this statement is that he is suggesting he works for nothing.

Dr Lord can rightly argue that as a councillor he is not salaried and that he gets no employment protection or pension rights.

He can even argue if he wants to, that he is underpaid for the services he provides to the council and his constituents.

But to argue that he doesn’t get paid to go to work is poppycock.

Councillors get out-ofpocket expenses plus an allowance. As the leader, Dr Lord has extra responsibility and his allowance is something over £30,000 per year (plus expenses).

I think this means Dr Lord gets paid £30,000 a year to go to work.

MARK CRIVELLI,

Worcester.