Like David, I find that a minority of councillors do little to represent their electorate and the local community, and comments like those made by Coun Doody (Cons, Cubbington) suggesting that we should almost be grateful that he is working so hard and submitting the most excessive expenses claim, does little to suggest that he is in tune with the people of Leamington and Warwick.

Hopefully, the people of Cubbington will remember Coun Doody's almost dismissive and arrogant comments at the next election, and send him packing.

However, let's not tar all our councillors with the same brush. In the last year, I have had experience of the work done by three local councillors and have nothing but praise for their diligence and commitment to their post as prominent members of the local community.

Firstly, councillors Mota Singh (Lab, Brunswick) and Mike Brittland (Lab, Brunswick) have assisted with great effect in an issue over local school bus services, spending several hours, usually at anti-social times, to resolve a problem which was causing my young daughter much distress. They came to visit me and made several phone calls on my behalf to ensure a satisfactory resolution.

More recently, I have experienced the fantastic job done by Bernard Kirton (Ind, Whitnash). On May 9, I rang Coun Kirton to report a broken man-hole cover on our street which Severn Trent had ignored since January.

Things came to a head last Friday as a young girl almost fell into the exposed drain.

Bernard Kirton came to see local residents the next morning, Saturday, at 10.30am, and by 7pm had arranged for a Severn Trent water maintenance team to replace the man-hole cover. The issue was resolved within almost 24 hours.

Without doubt, David Brown is correct to highlight the apathy shown by a minority of councillors towards their resonsibilities and to us local residents, but let's be realistic.

Not only do the various local councils ensure that the towns of Leamington and Warwick are beautifully maintained and areas in which we are proud to live in (just witness the green-eyed envy shown by Coventrians), but there are also many local councillors - like Mota Singh, Mike Brittland and Bernard Kirton - who devote many hours and reveal amazing dedication to ensure that they represent their local communities in the appropriate manner for a position of such responsibility. - Jugjit Chima, Banquo Approach, Heathcote.