Impressed The officers and members of the executive committee of Friern Barnet and Whetstone Residents’ Association wish to register their disgust at the action of the majority group of Barnet councillors who awarded themselves major allowance increases at the same time as foreshadowing severe cuts and staff redundancies in the near future.

At a time when reduction in staff levels becomes unavoidable, the blatantly insensitive attitude of hitherto respected members of the council seems to most of our members to border on the obscene and to be an inexcusable misuse of the electorate’s trust.

On the other hand, we are particularly impressed by the one member of the group, Councillor Kate Salinger, who followed her conscience in resisting great pressure, in the knowledge that the consequent punishment by the majority would be extremely hurtful.

Karl Ruge, president, Friern Barnet and Whetstone Residents’ Association