WHILST reading the front page story relating to the financial woes of the council I was appalled to see that the taxpayer is expected to make up the shortfall in council employees' pension funds.

Are the payments made towards their pensions invested similarly to that of my own and all the other people who are paying towards a hopefully comfortable retirement?

If so, why is the taxpayer expected to come up with the shortfall?

Can I go to the council and demand for them to top my pension fund up? I doubt it very much.

Also, is the departing council leader having his pension paid in full as a golden handshake even though he has taken early retirement? I would imagine so. – Gary Reddan, Coleford.