We are all familiar with Parkinson's Law which states that work expands to fill available time and subordinates multiply regardless of the amount of work produced.

It appears that Oxford City Council is pursuing this principle since the appointment of the new chief executive.

Only a few years ago, there was a massive cutback of staff with the closure of architects, engineers, estates and treasurers departments and a reorganisation of other departments.

This should have shown a significant reduction of council staff, but the numbers appear to be the same or have increased.

A Tsar to speed up home delay (Oxford Mail, February 17) is the latest. Is the council serious or is this an early April Fool's joke?

One would think that with the selling of council houses and other properties, there would be less work requiring fewer officers.

This does not appear to have happened.

Instead, the housing department has expanded and given rise to district offices and departments with fancy names and obscure titles.

The longer and more impressive the title, the less work the holder manages, but stretches it to fill the time.

Ring the offices and invariably you will be told that he or she is at a meeting.

It is hard to keep pace with the many acronyms used today, but every one conceals the engagement of consultants, officers, advisers etc.

Oxford City Council is growing, growing at a steady pace.

VIM RODRIGO

Rivermead Road

Rose Hill