START NOW: If John van de Laarschot is the man the city needs, then paying him to start part-time, immediately, will be money well spent. Indeed it should be self-financing, because he ought, during his next two days here, arrange to interview Chris Harman to facilitate his early return to work, or alternatively his severance from the council at little, or no, cost to the taxpayer.

J A FOSTER

The Avenue

Endon