Recent articles in The Argus have clearly portrayed the utter indifference of local government to the wishes of those who have elected them.

For instance, the Bluebell Railway - the largest and most successful tourist attraction in north Sussex - is prevented from entering East Grinstead and making reasonable use of this new business opportunity by just 12 protest letters.

In Lindfield, 400 residents wanted the High Street lime trees pollarded and properly maintained. The outcome - all 36 are to be felled over six years, replaced by 27 of which ten have already been planted.

Mid Sussex District Council, having obstructed work on the trees for over two years to protect the conservation area, now plan to plant parking meters along the High Street to ensure the few remaining village businesses finally fold and close.

After all, residential council tax is probably worth more to the council than business taxes.

In Haywards Heath last year the officers, who appear to run this council in the absence of the elected representatives, managed to squander more than £250,000 on a culture show which played to an almost empty field. Such is the need for culture in Haywards Heath.

Is it any wonder residents cannot be bothered to vote when invited and have a cynical view of all who pretend to look after their interests when elected?

  • DG Macmillan, Sunte Avenue, Lindfield