MADAM, I was interested to read the letter drawing attention to the council's advertisement for a housing strategy officer at a salary of £54,000, when council tax is rising.

In a radio debate a hospital consultant surgeon confirmed the salary for such a professional was around £55,000.

I cannot believe the housing officer would have to undergo the same level of intensive training or reach the same professional standards, including life or death decisions.

Council housing has been sold off. This is one of the least populated counties in England and what housing problems there are cannot be so serious you need to pay someone £54,000 pa and more to write a strategy to deal with them!

This highlights the easy manner our money is spent by the council.

ROBERT DAVIS,

Howle Hill, Ross-on-Wye.