On September 11, Stephen Byers' adviser, Jo Moore, sent her infamous email suggesting unwelcome announcements could be 'buried' among the dreadful news coming from the USA.

She quoted specifically the disclosure of increases in councillors' allowances.

A coincidence that Mr Byers (who refused to dismiss her) should visit Leigh when announcements of those increases were made locally. A 10.85 per cent rise is recommended.

Income from council work and other appointments mean many can now afford to be full-time on public duties. If renumeration depended on performance, some elected representatives would receive nothing!

In times past, when local councillors were unpaid, dedicated representatives lived, worked, socialised and worshipped among those who elected them. Names such as Battersby, Murray, Bratt, Jameson, Hourigan and Kearney spring to mind, people who worked hard for the town without the renumeration now available.

The same applied in neighbouring urban districts: I recall stalwarts like Matt Devlin and Joe Darbyshire in Tyldesley, Jim Walsh and Teddy Donoghue in Atherton. Unpaid, respected and their townships well run and maintained.

But look at us now! Litter strewn streets and public areas, vandalised parks, pot-holed roads, derelict sites, a proliferation of third rate shops, food outlets and late drinking establishments.

More and more is moved to Wigan, while we lose so many of the facilities we took for granted when our municipalities were independent, our councillors unpaid.

Increases in councillors' remuneration might be more acceptable if, occasionally, they would vote against the diktats of their Wigan masters, and fight for the improvements which Leigh and district so badly need.

J B Griffin

Oakwood Drive

Leigh