YOUR issue last week perfectly illustrates the present malaise in local government.

Many of us grew up in the belief that local government was about teaching children, maintaining roads, looking after the elderly, providing libraries for public use and services for public protection. We relied upon people we elected to be accessible, to be attentive to local need and to spend public money wisely.

Alas, it seems that the side-shows have taken over the circus when a proposal to close a local primary school (of modern design and the last one to be built in Malvern) accompanies a scheme to appoint new staff, whose remit is, to say the least, vague and unproductive.

I suggest the community benefit would be far greater and demonstrably more sensible if teachers were provided.

MICHAEL BURGESS, Rhydd Road, Guarlford.