THE MONSTER OF PICCADILLY CIRCUS SIR,—Your contributor Mr. Bernard Levin
is so familiar with the inside of other people's minds that he could with advantage have told a little more about the 'frustration and bitterness' among London County Council architects and planners.
My own contact with them suggests that the high turnover among professional staff is due in an im- portant measure to the inadequate pay they receive. The maximum for the professional entry grade (archi-
tect/planner/engineer/etc.) is £895 and promotion to the next grade guarantees only i1,135 after seven years' service.
Nearly two years ago this Association put in a claim for better pay and prospects on the ground that these were necessary to attract and retain first- class professional staff for the important work for which the Council is responsible.
To that claim a totally unacceptable reply was made this summer. It was rejected and the Council is believed to be having new thoughts.
But the claim remains unsatisfied and the Council fails to get, or to keep, the staff it needs.—Yours faith- fully, Westminster Bridge, SE!
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