Council leader Ken Bodfish seems to think a pay rise the size of Mr Panter's is justified, ignoring the financial problems many people face on a day to day basis living in Brighton and Hove.

However, the best is yet to come for I understand councillors' allowances are to be reviewed in September 2003.

A standard allowance is one thing but some councillors already receive significant allowances.

Some receive additional payments for being appointed to other organisations, which is not always publicly declared.

Given the council's ongoing financial crisis, with cuts in services and council tax rises, surely councillors should resist any future increases to their allowances?

In some cases, a reduction would not go amiss.

-Steve Collier, Hove