Dear Editor, What a pathetic argument Councillor Mike Ward puts forward to defend the justification of hot meals being provided at full council meetings for the Lord Mayor, councillors, their guests and officials with his crass comment: “If you want to get good decision-making from people, you have to make sure they are warm and fed” (Post, June 23).

Has he not the slightest conception how many decent hard working taxpayers work much longer hours and are lucky even to get a break, never mind have a hot meal waiting for them.

Mike Butler, Wylde Green

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Dear Editor, I was interested to read Coun Mike Ward’s comments regarding the provision of a free meal for those councillors attending council meetings (Post, June 23).

In support of the meal perk he stated: “If you want to get good decision making from people, you have to make sure they are warm and fed.” Really?

Surely there is not a greater incentive to nod off, other than a skinful of booze, than a full belly and a comfortable chair in a warm environment.

Rather than this scenario inspiring debate, passion and conclusive decision making, the council chamber would rather resemble the comatose state of the House of Lords on a Friday afternoon.

Unusually I am with his fellow Lib Dem councillor, Martin Mullaney, who suggests an earlier start, and therefore a finish which would facilitate dinner at home.

The benefits to councillors, except those with no home life, are obvious and we hard-hit citizens would be satisfied that we have not subsidised their king-sized helpings of food.

Robert Betteridge,

Kings Heath