AS a taxpayer I was astounded to read of the huge pay increases -- in excess of 23 per cent proposed for senior members of the Labour controlled county council.

There used to be a time when the opportunity to serve as a county councillor was reward enough.

However, one has to appreciate the wide ranging changes in local government over recent years, and note that the reason given to justify these excessive increases is that they should not suffer any financial hardship now that the role, for some, is a full time occupation.

This raises a number of questions:

1. Does or has any of the mentioned recipients ever received salaries of this magnitude in private employment?

2. What academic or professional qualifications have they achieved?

3. What particular expertise do they bring to the post?

In other words, how do they justify these large salaries, especially when one considers they are advised by well qualified professional council officers.

MR M SPURRELL, address supplied.