COUNCILLOR Swinburn would do well to remember that self-praise is no praise at all (Small is beautiful – letters, November 2).

He directs us to the annual report. But he does not mention that 48 per cent of residents do not think the council provides value for money.

Furthermore 43 per cent do not believe the council runs things well.

I would also hope that the executives are hardworking. I know that taxpayers are. He didn’t clarify that it was in fact the chief executive and managers who received pay rises. The bin men and litter pickers didn’t.

Perhaps instead of patting yourselves and your chief executive on the back he could remember that this is taxpayers’ money you are spending and it is our views that count. Doing a good job is what is expected. They are certainly well paid for it.

SARAH ROUSE

Leigh Sinton