But do they consult us?

I read recently that most councils, and that includes most controlled by Conservative administrations, pay salaries of members of staff to work full-time for their trade unions. In many cases they also offer free office accommodation for these staff members.

Do the staff members so permitted actually benefit the council? Indeed, does the council really know what they are up to, which could even be furthering the purposes of the Labour Party.

The argument usually advanced to justify the unions generally and also to justify the practice of full time paid staff release is that the council work force will be organised and can help negotiations and facilitate introduction of change. This may happen, but the arrangement can also reduce efficient operation. One council which recently entered conservative control, and decided to end the practice, seemingly found that absenteeism was reduced because those trying it on were no longer supported by a fellow worker.

In private industry companies may choose to do something similar. That is their right, so long as it is open and above board, and shareholders may object. Councils are not commercial businesses and they do not have shareholders, but the do have council tax payers who are struggling to meet inexorably rising taxes. Ought they to be informed and be able to express an opinion?