I have read recently in the local press that Dorset County Council will be spending money on ‘external expertise’ to ‘transform and run the authority more efficiently’. I am at a loss to understand why this is, because, on checking the county council website, I find that the senior management team is very highly paid as follows: The chief executive is on £146,000; the deputy chief executive £120,933, the director of children’s services £112,302; the director of the environment and the economy £112,302 and the director of adult and community services earns £115,175.

A total of £606,712. These people, I hope, are chosen for their experience and expertise in these various fields of management.

Surely it must be in their remit when recruited that they will be expected to run their respective organisations in the most efficient and economical way. For the council leader to warn that outside experts are to be brought in surely is a bad reflection on their skills.

These directors should take full responsibility for the economic and efficient running of the authority and be accountable, through the elected representatives, to the electorate or not be in the post at all. DOUGLAS BEAZER Windy Ridge Beaminster