Refreshing news

SIR - How refreshing it was to see the Gazette s front page story telling us that the two northern Devon councils are finally thinking of sharing services and a senior management team. In a geographical area such as ours, it makes no sense whatsoever to h

SIR - How refreshing it was to see the Gazette's front page story telling us that the two northern Devon councils are finally thinking of sharing services and a senior management team.

In a geographical area such as ours, it makes no sense whatsoever to have two separate councils carrying out identical work in duplication and as a council tax payer I welcome the day when the services can be aligned and duplication eradicated, with hopefully (but unlikely) the benefits passed on to us tax payers.

I am dismayed, however, by the Leader of North Devon Council's comments regarding the post of chief executive.

Why should we as tax payers fund the redundancy of a senior manager's post and no doubt help towards his pension only to see the position re-filled by someone else!

It's about time these politicians realised that it is our money they are spending (wasting) and acted prudently to give us value for money - a term much bandied about, but rarely acted upon.

C?J Colwill (Mrs), Northam.