Following the recent election there are now four new county councillors who are already members of the district council. Two of these, councillors Quaile and Robinson, are also portfolio-holders in the Cabinet of which Cllr Robinson is the vice-chairman. Cllr Terry Hale is Chairman of the Community Scrutiny Committee and a member of the Licensing, Development Control and Standards committees as well as vice-chairman of Newland Parish Council. He recently chaired the Wild Boar Review Task Group.  Cllr Glastonbury is chairman of Development Control and mayor of Lydney. These duties are all in addition to their work as district councillors for their constituents in their individual wards.  Now that they are taking on county duties as well, both in the wards and in Gloucester, which will require travel to and attendance at County Hall, it is to be hoped that there are more than 24 hours in each of their days.

By contrast, there are district councillors who never seem to appear at any council meeting. In addition to a review and overhaul of national parliamentary rules we need to look at local representation as some councillors are taking on duties they cannot possibly fulfill satisfactorily while others are doing very little other than drawing their expenses.

If candidates for election had to pay their own expenses (as those standing as Independents do now), and party backing was forbidden, we might see candidates who truly wish to serve the community: the elected member's expenses could then be reimbursed. This would also eliminate political parties putting forward candidates with no likelihood of or desire to win just so that they can advertise that every seat is contested. This has the effect of splitting the overall vote and, sometimes, allowing a candidate to be elected who would otherwise not have been.

Local government in its current system is comparatively new in our history, so it needs to be reviewed and reformed occasionally. Now would seem to be the time. – Daphne Pearson, Redbrook.