DEAR EDITOR - In Letters (September 24), I was accused by Mr Howard that I suggested to the people of Lickey End, three years ago, that 'they needed a parish council.'

This is not my recollection. What I said was that should they wish to have a parish council I will give them my fullest support to achieve that aim. Two elections later, with such convincing results against the setting up of a parish council, I now regard my duty to reflect the aspirations of the residents and assist them in disbanding the present parish council.

I do not see this as a change in my position, as the parish council has evidently been set up against the wishes of the majority.

Another of your correspondents points out that the annual cost of a parish council - which he claims could be between £7 and £8.90, scared off voters. This, frankly, I find to be an insult to the intelligence of the Lickey End residents. Does he really think that this will make a difference.

The residents of Lickey End have shown loud and clear they simply do not want yet another layer of government.

It is also claimed that the success of the anti-parish councillors was based on a campaign of misinformation and scare tactics. This moves the whole debate into a completely different ball game. The question must therefore be asked - why did the pre-parish council candidates fail so dismally to put their case?

Nick Psirides

Rednal Hill Lane

Rubery