Sir, – The district councils of Hambleton and Richmondshire have decided that working together to save money doesn't work.

This year Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury councils in Suffolk got rid of one chief executive, two directors and six head of service posts by working even closer together than they have in the past – there's a few hundred thousand pounds a year saved.

I thought Southerners were supposed to less friendly than Northerners but it seems they are more able to work together than this part of North Yorkshire at least.

JOHN LOADER

West Witton, near Leyburn.