I take exception to Craig Turton's statement that Tory councillors are "conning people to persuade everyone they suddenly care" (Letters, October 28).

Long before I was a Conservative councillor in Woodingdean, I worked as a volunteer on numerous committees.

I have held office on Oak Cottage Nursery's committee for almost 20 years, I completed 14 years on the parent-teacher association at my children's school, have been on the executive committee of my community association for more than ten years - three years as chairwoman - and was a founder member of Woodingdean's Millennium Committee more than six years ago, which is refurbishing a disused shop to be our new community cafe.

I have been chairwoman of the swimming pool committee for the past three years and a very active member of the management committee of the youth centre during this time.

If this is not caring about people, I guess I had better give it all up and go on holiday.

-Coun Dee Simson, Conservative, Woodingdean ward, Brighton