I read with interest Coun Ian James’s remarks about the chief officers in the newly formed Westwey partnership council.

While I agree with the principle of merging and the cutting down of top heavy chief officer posts as a result, it does seem to be going the way of WDDC.

This is a pattern that has developed over many years.

When Bournemouth and Poole were part of Dorset County Council it was the lion’s share of resources that went to the east of the county.

You only have to look at their road systems to see that.

More recently, WDDC seems to have dominated on the county council, and this seems now to reflect in the chief officer proportion of 18 out of 23 posts including the new chief executive going to former WDDC officers.

All this seems to leave Weymouth and Portland at a disadvantage and to that extent I agree with Coun James’s questioning.

Weymouth and Portland has had huge and unacceptable disruption from the ongoing road works.

We are told that these are necessary because of the poor transport links in the borough and they must be brought up to date before the Olympics, hence 20 years of road works have to be completed in just over one year.

Is this not an excellent example of how Weymouth and Portland has been neglected over a long period of time?

It is hoped that the new partnership will be more equal in future and Weymouth and Portland will get the investment it deserves as a major British seaside resort area.

However, as Coun James seems to imply, the signs are not good.

Both the county and borough councillors representing Weymouth and Portland will need to fight a lot harder for fairness in their share of the ‘cake’ in the future.

David Peach, Coronation Road, Weymouth