YP Letters: We don't need any more pointless councillors in Leeds

MOST in Leeds believe that fewer councillors – not more – are needed. With so many being “absentees” who do not live 
in or anywhere near the ward they purport to represent, the term “local” is a complete misnomer!

Most householders rarely contact any councillor for help. Even if they do, they are disappointed with the response in 99.9 per cent of cases.

Councillors have no power to do anything, they merely pass the questions raised by us 
on to the army of council 
officers and managers who know all the rules, regulations, financial and legal positions involved and who then tell 
them what can or can’t be 
done, with the response often negative.

In 43 years as a householder myself, 35 years at current address, on the handful of occasions when I have sought advice from councillors of 
any political persuasion they 
have simply been a mouthpiece for council inaction in every case.

The introduction of allowances in the 1970s instead of the previous voluntary public service with only expenses paid has in my opinion brought the wrong type of person in, with many finding being on the council a lucrative alternative to working for a living.