Madam, I had to respond to Mr Weedon's letter in last week's Gazette.

The letter stated that "if the council wants to save money I suggest they look at the allowances and expenses of the local and county councillors."

In response, local councillors (I assume that means parish councillors like those on Ross Rural or Ross town council) do not receive a penny in allowances. The mayor receives an allowance for his travelling etc and this is barely enough to cover the expenses of a good mayor like Cllr Ravenscroft who attends almost everything county wide representing our town.

County councillors do receive an allowance it is £7244 a year which after being taxed at source equates to less than £500 per month, I and some other cllrs receive a small extra responsibility allowance, mine is for chairing a committee and brings my after tax income to less than £700 per month.

I personally have not claimed a single penny in expenses so far, whilst I have nothing against anyone claiming expenses to which they are legitimately entitled, I chose not to claim mine.

To put things in perspective on an average week I can work about two days per week in my business as I am so busy with my ward work and other council responsibilities.

Our neighbours across the border in Monmouthshire receive nearly double what we receive as a basic county councillor and our county councillors are among the lowest paid in the county.

We desperately need to save money as a council but I would suggest that this is not the area. I will happily justify my work load to anyone that ever wants to know what I do with my time as a councillor.

Cllr Andrew Atkinson

Ross-On-Wye East Ward

07914 211 631