THE district and county councils leave very little to enthuse about. March Town Council had so many members unable to take part in a recent planning debate, due to conflicts of interest, it was left without a quorum. Therefore no decision could be taken.

THE district and county councils leave very little to enthuse about.March Town Council had so many members unable to take part in a recent planning debate, due to conflicts of interest, it was left without a quorum.Therefore no decision could be taken.Had the councillors been in a position to make a decision on the electorate's wishes it would have made no difference; Fenland District Council's planning committee will do just as it likes.They say the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Only last week three different applications were granted in Chatteris, despite each case having opposition from the Parish Council and the public. This has been the norm for quite a few years here in Chatteris.At Cambridge our County Council elected members voted for our Area Health Authority, and Ambulance Trust to go to into an Eastern Region.This takes in a massive 7,500 square miles, leaving south Fenland even more alienated than we were.It is amazing how these people think they know what we the public want, when, over past years of consultations on health issues, only once have we seen a county councillor at our meetings, that being Councillor Mike Ogden.Councillor Geoff Harper claims Fenland has the lowest tax increase in Cambridgeshire.I trust he realises this is well overdue.Fenland Council has hiked our taxes by some 57.9 per cent in four financial years, less capping in 2004/05.Now we are on the brink of paying yearly taxes on the 'unforeseen' mayoral referendum costs, raised by an extra 0.9 per cent tax last year, unless Cllr Harper does the honourable thing and deducts it from the 2005/06 precept total; and before the new tax bills are printed.REG WENNAcre FenChatteris