I CANNOT let A Willott’s claims (letters, July 16) go without correction.

Clearly, this person is misinformed and does their neighbours and the community at large a disservice through such ill-informed writing.

Far from attacking the lowest paid, the Conservative Council has protected the lowest paid from any pay cut. Indeed, there is a small pay rise for them. Our changes protect 400 jobs and the vital public services such as libraries and Sure Start centres.

Further more, our last offer took anyone on £22k a year or less out of the pay cut. This equates to 50 per cent of our staff. The unions rejected this offer.

The pay cut is banded so those who earn the most have the biggest cut. Something which you’d think A Willott would support with their letter raging against fat cats.

The council does not employ quangos, something else A Willott is so woefully misinformed about. In fact, the Conservativeled Government is cutting quangos.

Furthermore, the Conservative council has cut the number of executive directors, has cut the Cabinet in half and is reducing the number of senior managers further.

Finally, I’d have to point out the irony of A Willott saying they will vote against us at the elections. The Labour party policy is to cut 1,500 jobs, and hit pensioners with a massive council tax rise. So I ask A Willott, how would Labour’s plan of sacking 1,500 people improve the lot of the workers? By all means join the debate, but take the blinkers off first.

NEIL FITZGERALD, Conservative councillor for Sholing ward, Southampton.