In a recent Argus article (Mar 21st) John Keenan began by saying ‘It is not often that Brighton and Hove councillors fly in the face of advice from officers, so their bravery ought to be recognised when it occurs’.

If Mr. Keenan is correct then it would appear that, in the normal course of events, it is the non-elected, salaried officers who decide how the city is administered, with the elected, non-salaried councillors occasionally having the temerity to disagree.

Surely it should be the councillors who direct the officers, with the officers being the ones to show ‘bravery’ when they disagree.

If this is not the case, then what is the purpose of May's local elections?

Why bother to vote if the outcome is going to be that a group of people who did not stand for election finish up deciding the future of the city and its population?

I now look forward to seeing letters appearing in The Argus, written by local councillors, assuring everyone that they really are in charge and what they say goes.

Eric Waters,
Ingleside Crescent,
Lancing