Sir, – The 24 Tory councillors on Richmondshire District Council voted for increased allowances for themselves in the current financial year. They obviously couldn’t care less for the council taxpayer and just assume the local electorate will vote them in next time.

No doubt they’ll also demand extra money for vehicle allowances and site meetings.

According to the guide pamphlet, councillors represent the views and opinions of residents in their wards. One doubts if residents would have been consulted and agreed on these increases, even more so under the current economic crisis.

It seems just like MPs, they make the rules and damn the rest of us.

GEORGE HAYES Maison Dieu, Richmond.