I would like to register my disgust at the elected members of East Sussex County Council in relation to the huge wage increase and the lack of support for local charities and voluntary organisations serving East Sussex.

There are 44 elected county councillors, each on a basic salary of £9,800. This totals £430,000 a year.

The leader of the council is awarded £30,000 while councillors with special responsibilities have annual salaries ranging from £19,800 to £23,800.

I cannot find any justification to explain how approximately £500,000 of taxpayers' money can be thrown away in the pockets and purses of elected civil servants.

I find the situation even more nefarious when I read that the council has thrown out £138,000 of charity organisation grants because it has not got the funding (The Argus, February 26).

I suggest county councillors donate a large percentage of their allowances to these charities and voluntary organisations.

As an employed and self-employed person, I may consider standing for county council at the next available opportunity because then I will be able to donate nearly £10,000 a year to charity.

-Lord Brett Reginald McLean, Seaside Road, St Leonards-on-Sea