for the third time in recent weeks, the Oxford Mail has reported on taxpayers’ money being wasted. First we heard of the county council organising a night away at very expensive Heythrop Park.

Next it was the NHS’ turn at the Belfry at Milton Common.

Now it is the education chiefs’ turn at Stratford-upon-Avon.

Each time it was the taxpayers footing the bill.

In this latest episode, Philip Marples tried to justify the expense by saying in business you would probably be paying two or three times as much for the same thing.

in the past, the leader of the county council, in trying to justify councillors’ high allowances and expenses, has said the same kind of thing, comparing what they get with what businesses might be paying.

What they conveniently forget is they are not in business, they are working for the community.

If they want business perks and allowances, etc, then they should go and work for big business and see if they can get away with wasting money like they waste taxpayers’ money.

They would soon notice the difference, when they were out of work looking for another job.

Keith Brooks, Gateley, Horspath