Sir, – Why am I not surprised?

Ten per cent pay rise for council chief executive, defended by senior management (D&S, Mar 15).

We may be in the third year of council tax freeze, we may well have the third lowest council tax demand in the country, and this may be the goingrate for the job,butinthe current economic climate it is wholly and completely indefensible.

“We are all in this together”

but some of us are more in it than others. The front line council staff have had no pay rise for three years and may get one per cent this year.

I seriously think that if top civil servants, politicians, bankers and others continue with this “we are alright Jack”

attitude, and continue with indifference to the situation that the majority of us find ourselves in, that 1381 is fast approaching.

DAVE FOSTER Bedale.