I FEEL I must support my colleague Councillor Gary Kibblewhite following criticism of him in County Commentary on July 2, 2001.

Is Paul Stammers really suggesting that city councillors should act in isolation, ignoring the lessons to be learnt from, and shared with, other public housing authorities?

The National Housing Conference is designed to help all housing authorities share best practice and learn from mistakes made elsewhere, which can actually save taxpayers' money and help provide better services to tenants.

Your more enlightened readers will know that city councillors spend many hours trying to improve services to our citizens, enhance the environment in which they live, and ensure quality employment and housing.

Worcester City Councillors receive lower "allowances" than almost every other councillor in the land, about £25 per week less tax.

Gary Kibblewhite gave up a week's holiday to attend last year's conference and I am quite certain that, because he received only minimal expenses, he would have ended the week out of pocket.

To describe this as "popping off on a junket" is a disgraceful insult - no wonder we don't see many fellow-citizens queuing up to be councillors!

PAUL DENHAM,

St Barnabas Ward,

Worcester.