Recent letters to The Argus about the mayoral referendum appear to be from either members of the Yes or No campaigns.

Not many regular members of the public have so far contributed to the debate.

I am sure most people, like myself, would prefer our council tax to be spent on essential services rather than yet more council committee meetings.

Presumably, more committee meetings mean more allowances for councillors and more overtime payments made to council staff for servicing these committees.

Less money would be available for social services, schools and street cleaning.

I am sure it has escaped those councillors belonging to the No campaign that a vote in favour of a directly-elected mayor would mean a reduction in the number of committees and expenses they could claim.

But then again, turkeys never vote for Christmas, do they?

-Sharon Rose, Dean Gardens, Portslade