I read with disbelief Brighton and Hove City Council's policy committee can afford to increase the chief executive's salary by 21 per cent to £145,000 which "will be met from within current management budgets without the need to put in new money" (The Argus, July 25).

What new money?

As for shaving £6m from the council's annual spend, these cuts were forced on the council by the reduction in Government grants.

I assume councillors have decided, after just two years in the job, Mr Panter is capable of reducing the city's £18m deficit to a level we the taxpayers can afford.

Instead of the 15 per cent increase in this year's tax and projected 18 per cent next year, will future increases be in line with the RPI and state pension increases, currently 2.9 per cent and 3.28 per cent respectively?

If this target is not met, and there is little evidence since his arrival that it will be, will the council then reduce Mr Panter's salary to a level appropriate to his performance?

I hope Mr Panter succeeds as we all wish to see a curb on the profligate spending of this council and a reduction in tax to equate with services rendered.

-DP Fincham, Hove