Sir - I have been longing for the W N to be more challenging in its local political reporting. At last I am able to congratulate the journalistic input into Local Government matters. The facts discovered by investigating the payment of private hospital fees to the Fire Chief indicate excellent journalistic skills. In the past I think that the local Press has been too accepting of Local Authority press releases without attempting to find the true story behind such bland statements. By challenging our elected leaders the local paper does an important job both in holding our Councillors to account and enabling residents to form opinions.

It must concern many that the Chairman of the fire authority stated to your paper that he has “done nothing untoward”. Does he not consider it wrong to use council tax monies to fund private hospital care for a member of his staff? The Local Authority is cutting its funding to a number of important resources which we, the local community, consider necessary and important in our care of local citizens. Any “spare” cash must be diverted to where it is really needed not used to pay for private hospital treatment for its staff.

Mr. Prodger should consider his record of poor judgement in this matter and he should resign.

Dave Skelton

Worcester