SIR – I felt compelled to make comment on Tom Edwards’ reporting of “Fierce row over how tax credit cuts will hit city” (Worcester News, November 24) and in particular a quote attributed to me, “It is something councillors should not get involved in”.
Unfortunately, Tom Edwards has failed to provide the context behind that statement. My frustrations arise because ever more frequently, at council meetings, we seem to be spending significant time on spurious “motions” that are more about the opportunity for one or two politicians, in this case Cllr Joy Squires, to grandstand in the hope of getting Worcester News column inches, discussing topics which we as city councillors have little hope in influencing. 
The motion last week, was requesting that the city council MD write to George Osborne complaining about tax credit reductions. In truth a pointless task when George Osborne had already made a very public statement that he was reviewing the bill. I agree this is an issue for debate and I am happy to debate it with any resident of Worcester who wishes to do so with me, but it isn’t an issue for Worcester City Council meetings. 
I was voted in to deal with city problems and I believe I add more value as a councillor when I am dealing with issues that I can influence, such as tackling the landlords who persist in placing advertising boards on their houses all year round – something which a number of my residents have complained about. 
So I would ask this – fellow councillors and you know who you are, lets stick to dealing with issues within our power during council meetings and not waste time on PR focused motions.
CLLR CHRIS MITCHELL
St Clement’s ward

Political elite in Norway want to join the EU
SIR – I am a little surprised David Barlow has been so comprehensively taken in regarding Norway and the EU. He says Norwegian ministers say that their country pays the same (per head) as the UK and has no influence on EU decisions. 
With his long experience in politics hasn’t he noticed that politicians do lie just occasionally? The Norwegian people narrowly rejected EU membership by referendum in 1994. But since then polls show over 60 per cent of Norwegians oppose membership with only 25 per cent in favour. 
Just like in this country, the political elite in Norway want their country to join the EU because they don’t believe in people living in a democratic sovereign state any more. Britain leaving the EU would pose an even more crushing blow to their desire for Norway to join. So they misrepresent the position. Funny how those elites in all countries who fanatically promote the EU in the face of all the evidence often do that. 
FRANCIS LANKESTER
Diglis, Worcester

Re-election is not a forgone conclusion
SIR – This letter is addressed to Caroline Palethorpe, Conservative candidate for the Teme Valley in the forthcoming election, in the sincere hope that the issues are addressed
If I may address your “problems” first.
1. Councillor Penn, a man hell bent (with his Tesco support)on slowing progress/enhancement of Tenbury Wells.
2. Councillor Pollock who has dismally failed to achieve any real improvement to the carriageway that serves The Highwood,despite constant pestering by myself.
3. In times when we are told that we must cut back and achieve economic stability, how can you support a Prime Minister who is hell bent on having, at some £10 million cost to you and me, a palace car to massage his ego in the worldwide power game.
4. You have made NO mention of policing, fire cover, ambulance services. Will you please consider raising the forthcoming yearly rate by £1 per week per household and freezing councillors’ pay in the next financial year.
5. Seek to get proper funding of our national health service, not this annual whingeing about the costs and vilification of junior doctors. 
If you can address in a positive manner the above issues then I have no doubt that the voters of the Teme Valley will return you as their elected candidate,but is NOT a foregone conclusion!!!!
ROGER M. CHEDGZOY
Tenbury Wells

Council has agenda to privatise services
SIR – In the Worcester News on November 10, Sander Kristel from Worcestershire County Council said that “we’re on a journey and expect to be commissioning significantly more of our services”. What percentage of these services will be run by ‘voluntary groups, mutuals and social enterprises run by ex-staff’? Would it be fair to say that mention of these options is a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the County Council’s agenda to privatise services, whilst at the same time increasing our council tax? The County Council ought to be opposing Government cuts, but as it agrees with the rapid abolition of the Welfare State, it won’t.
The winners will be shareholders and chief executives, not us. When a former Conservative Prime Minister publicly expresses his shock at the levels of inequality in this country, you know something is wrong.
NEIL LAURENSON
Worcester Green Party

Good read for free
SIR – l must thank the Worcester News for the bound copies of the Evening News. l picked mine up today from a cold-looking Aimee in the loading bay. Both are from the 50s, each contain one month’s papers, four editions per day, and l must say they are a very good read  and all for free. Brilliant.
PETER CRESSWELL
Worcester