THE article in last week's Mercury about the so-called independent panel on councillors allowances was an eye-opener. The massive pay rise for councillors was a disgrace

THE article in last week's Mercury about the so-called independent panel on councillors allowances was an eye-opener.The massive pay rise for councillors was a disgrace and they should never have voted for it when they've been sacking staff, putting up tax bills and cutting services.But at least councillors could hide behind the line that the pay rise was recommended by an independent panel. Now it turns out that a senior Tory (Peter Bryant) was a close friend of the panel chairman. So not quite as 'independent' as we were all led to believe. Can we trust the word of Town Hall chiefs on anything?P EVANS - Milton Hill, Worlebury