Cllr Jeremy Christophers, Conservative leader on Teignbridge Council, writes:

I cannot remember the last time I wrote a letter to the editor. However, reluctantly I feel duty bound to do so, having been mentioned in Cllr Alan Connett's response to the article entitled '£130 000 salary for joint role'.

Initially, I would like to state that I stand by every word of the story printed on Friday, August 20, in a nutshell.

I hope staff morale is not affected with the news of the chief executive's salary increase, when they face no such increase in the foreseeable future.

I can see it is beneficial for Torridge, but the benefits for council tax payers here in Teignbridge is less clear.

I feel there would be more to be gained for the people of Teignbridge, through closer ties with both South Hams and West Devon.

Obviously, as the 'opposition' to the current Lib-Dem/Independent led council, we will be watching that service levels do not drop, and clearly, if we form the administration controlling the council next May, we will be looking closely at the situation, and looking at a number of council run services which we feel can be run better for less, for the benefit of the people of Teignbridge.

Moving to how the story was reported.

It is true I was informed of the situation, but 'the train had already left the station' and could not be stopped. Alan Connett claims efforts were made to approach South Hams and West Devon. Incidentally, they have just appointed a new joint chief executive at just over £100,000 per annum. It is not my place to challenge how strenuously efforts were made for co-operation in that direction, as it was before my time as Conservative leader, but it does seem a great shame we are not on board with our nearer neighbours.

Interestingly, I have found an unlikely ally in the shape of Lesley Whittaker, a former Lib-Dem county councillor whose piece last week 'Higher salary is no joke', is spot on. Lesley and I competed for election in 1999, for my ward, Haytor, and I have the utmost respect for her as an opponent. Her closing line to her former Lib-Dem colleagues sum up this matter well; 'Tell it like it is, please, Teignbridge.'

I would like to make a plea, that now the decision has been made, everyone should just get on with running the council for the benefit of the people of Teignbridge.THIS AND OTHER LETTERS IN OUR ONLINE EDITION