I READ with alarm in the Evening Advertiser on February 23 that Stratton Parish Council is to increase their precept in the next financial year by 37.9 per cent.

Are they mad? Are they bad? Or are they just downright inefficient?

This contrasts with Swindon Council which, under Conservative control, this week voted through a modest increase in council tax of three per cent. The message is clear, Conservative councils cost the taxpayer less.

P Sharp

Upper Stratton, Swindon