IN response to my recent article concerning the proposed partnership model at Forest of Dean District Council – the 2020 Tranformations project, Averil Sumners of UKIP wrote: "I would imagine that most of these employees are members of the union UNITE."

I'm afraid your imagination has run amok Averil, you are factually incorrect. They are not members of UNITE and, incidentally, employees in the UK are free to join the trade union of their choice.

You allege I have a self interest. Wrong again I'm afraid. My interest and priority concern in the question of the future provision of services for the people of the Forest of Dean is value for money.

Of course like colleague councillors I also would wish to treat the hard working staff at the district council with respect, dignity and fairness unlike UKIP who wish to abolish the rights.

of workers including parental leave, maternity pay, holiday pay, sick pay, redundancy pay, to say nothing of the transfer of undertakings for the protection of employment regulations so important in the proposed 2020 Transformations Partnership project.

By the way I am a member of UNITE and proud of it. Good luck to all those who are fighting to maintain their living standards in an ever hostile climate.

– Cllr Bill Evans (Lab), Forest of Dean