As one of the "fresh blood" on the new council who is among the ten or so councillors under the age of 40, I would argue that Mr Bell (Letters, June 6) contradicts himself.

On the one hand, he says there are too many older councillors. On the other, he complains about the "huge allowances" councillors vote themselves.

I make no complaint about the basic allowance which, at £8,000, is less than the national average wage but a good deal more than many of those I represent earn.

However, being a councillor is increasingly a full-time job, particularly now that the number of councillors in Brighton and Hove has been reduced from 78 to 54 (thus reducing the amount councillors' allowances cost the taxpayer) and one that is closely scrutinised by the public.

If Mr Bell wishes to see councils that are more representative of the population as a whole, he would have to accept they would need to be given an allowance nearer to the national average wage so they did not have to balance being a councillor with the demands of normal employment.

The lower the allowance, the more likely it is that councillors are older people with the time to do the job and some independent means of income, rather than younger people with family and mortgage commitments.

I value the experience and knowledge of older councillors and would remind Mr Bell it is an independent body that now determines the level of councillors' allowances, not the councillors themselves.

Councillor Warren Morgan (Labour, East Brighton), Brighton

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Bully for Charles

Prince Charles, who receives a lot of criticism, most of it unjustified, brought delight to the people of Chichester and to visitors and traders at the South Of England Show (The Argus, June 6).

He is still very popular, as was proved by the cheering crowds waiting for him at the venues he visited throughout the day.

He spent the afternoon looking around the agricultural show, chatting to visitors and traders and presented some awards to winners of the cattle championship.

His visit brought a great lift to the local agricultural community which has suffered a very difficult past two or three years.

Prince Charles has a special interest in agricultural matters and has helped promote interest in the show.

-Steve Fuller, Hove