YOUR report (LET, January 28) regarding £60,000 paid out as a reward to employees of Blackburn with Darwen Council begs the question -- just how does this council operate?

As the joint co-ordinator of a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme, I approached the council requesting lighting for a well-used walkway in the vicinity -- one which no woman or child could be expected to use after dark. Although still awaiting an official reply, I have been verbally told that our request will not be considered until April, 2003.

Why? -- because there is no money available until then at the earliest. After reading about the £60,000 handed out, why am I not surprised?

Only recently, you reported (LET, January 25) on how some people in the Livesey area had been overcharged on their council tax for approximately 10 years and, worse still, will not get one penny back unless they have the confidence to appeal. I return to my first question -- just how does this council operate?

Perhaps we should all complain to our local councillors. It is they who have the opportunity to register our complaints first-hand.

I now await April with anticipation. Will we get the lighting, or won't we? Who knows how money will be spent in the future? In this instance, we, the taxpayers, only got to know after the £60,000 had been spent. Is this really acceptable?

M WHALLEY (Mrs), Alpine Grove, Blackburn.