Sir – I’d like to thank Councillor Mitchell for helping to raise my profile prior to the forthcoming elections through his lead letter in the Worcester News.
However, I believe that being active in St Stephen ward all year round is more effective. He remains in denial about the true interests of the current government – it has just cut Corporation Tax again and has cut Employment Support Allowance for disabled people (even Conservative MPs are beginning to rebel against this).
He wrote that the government is trying to reduce the “burgeoning welfare budget” but failed to acknowledge the bailout of the banks and the misery inflicted upon the poorest in our society by his government’s cuts.
He wrote that there were no cuts in the latest city council budget – however, the report discussed at full council on February 23 referred to £615k of “savings” in 2016/17 and £1.032m of “savings” in 2017-2021.
It was also extremely sketchy about how business rates will replace central government funding.
He helpfully reminded people about motions I have proposed at full council, one of which was supported by some of his own colleagues (banning the use of snares on city land).
The one recommending that the Mayor be voted in based on seniority was a response to the dodgy dealing that resulted in Cllr Amos becoming Mayor.
Such is the current leader’s appreciation of the public’s disgust that he recently gave Councillor Amos a promotion by appointing him to his cabinet.
Neil Laurenson
Green Party Councillor for St Stephen ward
 
Only IDS had any integrity
Sir – I really fear for the way parliamentary democracy is going in this country. We have a Labour party doing so much navel gazing it is in danger of disappearing up the aforementioned orifice. It has become incapable of doing what it should be doing and holding this Tory government to account.
We then come to the Tories who are so split over Europe I fail to see how they can ever be put together again. To conclude, whilst I fervently will campaign to stay in the EU, I have to say Ian Duncan Smith, no EU supporter himself, has been entirely principled in resigning.
He has shown more integrity in doing so than the rest of that shower in the cabinet put together.
Clive Smith
Malvern

 
Time to sack trust board?
Sir – I wonder how many of your readers know how much the local Worcester NHS Trust board members cost, in 2014-15 this was £970000.
Out of this, five members received the following amounts: chief executive, £160,000-£165,000pa; chief operating officer, £120,000-£125,000pa; chief medical officer £190,000-£195,000pa; chief nurse, £170,000-£175,000pa; director of resouces, £135,000-£1400,00pa.
Surely if we are paying this amount of money they should be able to run a successful NHS trust for Worcestershire. In any other type of employment, failure to achieve their targets would result in being sacked yet we continue to employ these people.
KEVIN DRINKWATER
Redditch


Clubs ignore child safety
Sir – The Adam Johnson case has pulled into sharp focus the way child protection and safeguarding is considered by some football clubs.
 This is even more worrying when you consider the importance football plays in the lives of many young people and the responsibilities players have as role models.
 Johnson’s behaviour has been inexcusable and made worse by his not- guilty pleas which forced his young victim to suffer the harrowing experience of giving evidence in court.  However, the NSPCC’s concern lies not in the behaviour of a single individual but in the approach taken by Sunderland Football Club when confronted with a serious child protection issue.
 We are worried clubs may not see incidents such as these as a child protection issue.
 This is not only about one rogue player who behaved badly, but a club that seemingly did not  have child protection priorities embedded into their culture.
It was not equipped to handle these allegations and seemingly did not deal with them appropriately,  or indeed seriously.
Clubs should be reminded of the high profile their players hold,
be aware of their organisational safeguarding responsibilities to young people and be prepared to act decisively.   
The NSPCC has written to the FA to reinforce the message that this kind of behaviour should not be tolerated at any level and certainly not brushed
 under the carpet.
 
 Sandra McNair
NSPCC head of regional services for the West Midlands
 
Store shelves are sizeist
SIR – I shopped at the new Lidl store in Blackpole Road for the first time a few days ago. Car park too small, cars going every which way.
Everything is too high. We are not all 6ft tall. I am 5ft 2in’ and have lots of arthritis. 
The checkout is much too high. I could just manage to give the checkout assistance my money. Even he agreed it was high. 
What about people in wheelchairs, etc. Big store but I could not see it was selling more goods than the old store, it is just spaced out more. 
Give me the old store any day. I for one will not be using it every week as I did before. Other people I have spoken to do not like it either.
Margaret SHERIDAN
Worcester