I would like to endorse the comments made by Mr B Lawson 15th March 2024 in the “What you think” column of your newspaper.

In respect of the comments made I would offer readers the following comparison:-

On one hand Powys County Councillors number 68, realising an estimated salary and expense payment of over £1,200,000. per annum.

Services are being cut, Council Tax is increasing and the infrastructure of the County declining.

OTHER NEWS:

On the other hand, prior to my retirement, I was General Manager of a liquefied natural gas shipping company responsible for the crewing and technical operation of ten 140,000 cubic metre (slight variation in size with class of vessel) gas tankers. 

Each of these tankers was on a charter rate of on or around $100,000 per day. The carriage of natural gas (LNG) is difficult as the gas is maintained at minus 260 degrees centigrade. 

The gas is sold on its calorific value, during transit a small part of the gas “boils off” any delay from say a technical problem and the LNG could turn into LPG with a much lower calorific value and corresponding commercial value. This was a heavy responsibility and I did with twelve (12) people.

It is – as quoted – the duty of every Powys County Councillor to cut numbers.

I was responsible to the company owner and board of directors and would have been subject to severe penalty should I have failed in the efficient management of the ships. Who are the Councillors responsible to and who monitors their efficiency?
Graham Griffiths, Kerry