Robin Howard, who compares rewards for councillors 50 years ago with today, is absolutely right (Letters, April 5).

I am probably the only surviving member of Coulsdon and Purley UDC, which was compulsorily amalgamated with Croydon CB by the London Government Act (1964), which the then Conservative Government imposed against the wishes of the local population for whom it was and still is a rotten deal.

There were 33 members of the UDC contributing time, energy and expertise to the community in return for no more than the reimbursement of expenses.

The Tory Government said it was inefficient and there were too many local authorities in London with too many Liberal, Labour and independent members threatening Conservative majorities on most London Councils.

After the amalgamation Coulsdon and Purley had only 15 members on Croydon LB and that number has effectively been whittled down by boundary changes.

Instead of a voluntary, part-time job, being a Councillor became a virtually full-time activity and that has now led to payment of salaries and the creation of cabinet members.

The additional responsibilities put on local councils and individual members these days has accelerated the salaried process which shows no signs of stopping.

Trevor Austin
Green Lane
Purley