A few years ago, Brighton and Hove councillors paid themselves, on average, just over £3,000. This rocketed until, last year, it had grown to just over £10,000 - more than treble.
Some justify the increase by referring to the amount of time given to the work.
Unfortunately, the Royal Commission saw little force in this claim and promptly reduced their number from 78 to 54.
Others justify the increase on the grounds it would attract more suitable people to the work.
This kind of argument is met with commercial appointments as firms compete for staff in short supply.
It would be unfortunate if council service should ever become a sort of profitable hobby.
The reduction of 24 councillors will mean - on last year's figures - a saving of about £250,000.
What better reallocation of this money than to the Social Services department, to avoid any more John Smiths?
-R G Jenkins, Hove
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