AT Malvern District Council's executive committee the majority voted to allocate up to £30,000 for the purchase of a new sound and recording system for the council chamber.

The portfolio holder, Cllr Paul Cumming, proposed the decision be made by the appropriate officer, in consultation with himself!

The leader of the Democratic group, Cllr. Julian Roskams, felt the matter should come back to council for the final decision, but the chief executive felt it was important not to delay implementation, thus denying two-thirds of our elected representatives a say.

To put this into context, £30,000 is at least half of the saving achieved by sharing a chief executive with Wychavon: a move that we were told was imperative because the council is so cash-strapped!

Not forgetting that advertising the post nationally was considered too expensive!

Is it me, or has this administration got its priorities all wrong?

Caroline Carver

Malvern