BLACKBURN with Darwen Council is one of the worst-performing councils in the country, a national survey said (LET, May 4). Thank heavens somebody has noticed.

The aim of the survey, you reported, is to give a clear picture of how things are run. Well, we live here and know how they're run - I wouldn't buy a used car off this lot.

Council leader Malcolm Doherty says he hasn't had time to digest the report. Well, get chewing, Councillor. It's only a pity we're not able to vote on their "performance" this year.

I have often heard New Labour (Old Tory) telling us pay awards must be performance-related. So can they tell me if councillors will now cancel the huge rises they have awarded themselves and reduce the community charge?

SAM SPENCE, Ribblesdale Place, Blackburn.

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