YOU reported that the new Tory district council leader, Stephen Clee, together with his Conservative colleagues, abstained from supporting the concern of other district councillors (and county councillors) on the destruction of the current widely supported schools system in Wyre Forest.

Already at this first meeting we can see members of a national political party voting en bloc and not owning up to what they personally believe is right for Wyre Forest.

Mr Clee was absent from the county council meeting on June 24 at which the subject was debated, and this included input by members of the public representing various schools and wider opinion on the overall structure.

We were there and had the opportunity to witness at least one of the Conservative abstainers (at the district council meeting) enthusiastically supporting the views of many of the public contributors.

How's that for party politics working for you? What's happened to people first?

Mr Clee has insisted that it was a "county matter". Who does he represent? Why won't he and his colleagues speak out openly for the people who voted for them?

It looks like a conflict of various interests. He is an adviser to the resources portfolio holder on the county cabinet and incidentally receives a special responsibility allowance of £5,100 per annum for that on top of his basic county allowance of £7,500.96.

His district council income is a basic allowance of £3,600 plus a special responsibility allowance of £9,277 for being leader. A total reward of £25,477.96.

How can he hold down all these jobs?

Health Concern county

councillors

JIM PARISH

Vernon Road

Stourport

FRANK BAILLIE

Telford Drive

Bewdley