I WOULD like to assure Ellen Kemp (Letters, March 14) that Huntingdonshire district councillors do not receive 54.4p per mile for all their business mileage, only a small proportion. The allowances are a contribution towards expenses. They are set by a

I WOULD like to assure Ellen Kemp (Letters, March 14) that Huntingdonshire district councillors do not receive 54.4p per mile for all their "business" mileage, only a small proportion.

The allowances are a contribution towards expenses. They are set by an independent remuneration panel and take into account the fact that much of a councillor's work is voluntary.

I am able to claim mileage allowance for official council meetings only. For the costs I incur visiting constituents, attending site meetings or travelling to parish council meetings in the six villages within my ward, I claim nothing.

Far from being "ashamed", as suggested by Ellen Kemp, I am proud of my contribution to the community and do not complain that I am not fully compensated.

Councillor STEVE CRISWELL, Huntingdonshire District Council