I AM dismayed by the amount of money and resources wasted by our local services.

For several years I have participated in consultation groups on various issues where I have visited local government and hospital departments and am horrified by their profligacy.

At one of the first meetings I attended in the Civic Centre in Stoke, there were about six or seven members of the public and two council employees, one of whom could have been better off doing his normal job.

As the meeting was ending, we were informed the taxis would soon be arriving.

Anyone interested in local affairs is surely capable of using their own steam to arrive at the meeting place.

Wherever I go, cotton bags are distributed, together with pens, pencils, keys rings and multicoloured leaflets and glossy brochures.

Documents are often lengthy since there seems little need to photocopy on both sides of the paper or to be more succinct in the layout of the material.

These meetings are often led by several NHS or council administrators, many of whom would be better employed back in their own offices doing the job for which they are paid.

I accept "open government" requires some consultation with members of the public, but feel economies can be made in how this is delivered.

LUCY HIND

Trentham