Tom Ley (Letters, February 9) is incorrect to say Travellers want basic amenities provided but not to pay for them.

The Reform Bill will require they pay for them, just as the settled community pays. At the Horsdean site, both rent and council tax is paid.

The only reason this is not paid at the unauthorised sites is because the landowner (whether private or council) is not allowed to charge rent or fees, so travellers are prevented from paying when, in fact, they want to.

Ron Wood (Letters, February 11) is also incorrect to state councillors' pay is a "tax-free, nice little earner".

It is liable for both tax and National Insurance. But we cannot join the local government superannuation scheme.

Nor, it seems, are we covered by the Working Time Directive, which could prevent too many hours being worked in too many jobs in the same week.

-Coun Roy Pennington, Chairman, Sussex Travellers' Forum