IS IT possible that the ratepayers be fully informed on all the facts in respect of how the council reaches decisions when it tells us it will save us money by making staff cuts? How did it actually cost £97,000 to make only one person redundant? Can we

IS IT possible that the ratepayers be fully informed on all the facts in respect of how the council reaches decisions when it tells us it will save us money by making staff cuts? How did it actually cost £97,000 to make only one person redundant? Can we be told exactly what was the position in the council that this person held and what were their duties and responsibilities? How long had he been a council employee? I can only assume it must have been many years because it cost £82,000 to top up his pension (let us not forget it is also index linked). What were his terms of employment? What type of service contracts do our council issue? Are we to take it that all council employees have the same terms of redundancy? If that is the case, we may as well accept the ratepayer is supporting a very caring council, and do not forget its staff also have the right to retire at 50 on a full pension paid for by the ratepayer.All I know is that when I was made redundant after 18 years, I was given about £6,000 as my redundancy payment, but here we have a package paid out worth £95,000. I keep reading that savings will be made by the council, but each week I see large advertisements in the press for new positions with North Somerset Council and the salaries offered look very good to me. It appears to me that our entire council talks a good fight, but in the end, as long as number one is looked after let the ratepayers pick up the bill. Is it possible that the council could get together and do something to help the ratepayers who have to pay their way while a favoured few are given special rates to park their cars in car parks, these being, of course, the council staff and now the college staff.LAURENCE F ORME - Shrubbery Avenue, Weston