LOCAL taxpayers grumble about our spendy councillors but, in one area of public expenditure, they demonstrate a thriftiness bordering on the parsimonious.

A time-honoured policy acknowledges that, whereas residents should not be forbidden to write to councillors, residents should not be encouraged to expect a reply.

Call it folly if you will, but I have often been moved to write to our councillors, notwithstanding.

Sometimes, beyond all expectation, I receive a reply (no names, no pack-drill). This generally suggests I address my query to an officer. More often, I wait in vain.

Hand-delivered letters are no more successful than those entrusted to Royal Mail.

This sly stratagem is obviously considered off-limits and provocative.

Over the years, I have witnessed many of these dedicated non-communicating councillors (NCCs) accept forcible retirement, or finally take up accommodation so sheltered that even the Television Licensing Authority cannot reach them.

Their places are immediately taken by others no less eager to maintain tradition.

Officers (provided you do not expect a reply from the upper echelons), are good correspondents.

So why, you will ask, do I not simply write to them direct, without disturbing those whose understanding of local government is little better than our own?

All I can say is that I retain this residual, irrational belief in democracy. Besides, councillors get so much stick. Writing could help them conquer feelings of low self-esteem.

William Dixon Smith, Welland Rise, Acomb, York.