WITH reference to the appoint-ment of ‘Super Council’ boss, Max Steinburg (LT, March 28), a reference was made to the fact that Mr Steinberg’s believed salary for that position was in the region of £140,000 per annum.

This fact was not established and I note that the chief executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council stated that it was ‘inappropriate to discuss the salary details’.

Mr Burgess by his statement, is attempting to perpetuate the secretive dealings of the so-called ‘higher echelon’ of all the political parties.

He should realise that the money paid to the incoming chief executive is not his money but public money and therefore the spending of it, for whatever reason, should be open and above board for all to see.

If the recipient does not want the proposed salary put into the public arena, he should not have applied for the post in the first instance.

If a schoolteacher’s salary can be open and discussed in the press, as can that of other employees such as ‘extended schools co-ordinator’ and indeed that of hourly paid council workers, why not that of a top executive?

Mr Burgess’s secrecy does little to promote the perceived probity of council leaders.

ANTONY HAWORTH, Pendleside Close, Clitheroe.