Letter to the editor: For several months I have been monitoring responses from council officers and councillors.

I was truly shocked by the results which show both officers and elected members are frequently failing to respond to correspondence and electronic messages.

This shows contempt for ratepayers seeking answers to problems in their area.

It reveals councillors are not improving their performance despite trebling their salaries and the portfolio holder system is not working.

It is revealing when the council paid lower remunerations, we had a better service and there was more a sense of civic duty from borough representatives and less about fat cats and gravy trains.

Reform is urgently needed with new town halls closer to the people and with councillors who care about the community rather than choosing it as a lifestyle option.

Rod Reed, Beckenham