Now we are well into 2004 I would like to confirm publicly that I shall not be seeking re-election to any local council at the next round of elections.

Although this seems a long way off (May 2005 for county council) this will give all political parties and independents time for their own democratic selection of candidates. In the meantime I will continue to do my best to represent folk as best I can.

In particular on December 17 at the county council I received good news and bad news.

On the one hand for Monkton Park I now have in writing a commitment to resurface some (perhaps all), of our key roads this year.

The withdrawal of the silly scheme for Monkton Hill was welcome but an alternative is promised. The good news about the A4 between Chippenham and Calne may turn out to be cosmetic. So vigilance is still required for these two.

Bad news is that the county has, for all practical purposes, ruled out any traffic management scheme for Webbington Road, Pewsham until such time as there is a death in order to prove that we need it! This is a disgrace.

I will continue to fight for some improvement and I know that both district councillors for Pewsham (one Lib Dem and one Conservative) will continue to support me in this. I can only ask the public to tell the political parties that they will only vote for independent candidates at all levels of politics unless they pledge some changes in the future.

This is going to be a bad year for council and police taxes regardless of which party is in power. For Chippenham Town Council there will be a huge percentage increase although the actual cash is small, in order to complete the excellent Stanley Playing Fields facility on London Road. I will vote for this increase only if the Lib Dem majority pledge to rein back, possibly to less than inflation, increases in future years.

For North Wiltshire District I will not vote for any increase above 2.8 per cent my estimate for inflation. The budget should be supported from our substantial reserves next year and in following years we should be making cuts by reducing duplication with the county council and other agencies. The county council increase, which is the largest in percentage and real cash, will hurt the most. Blaming the Government is not good enough from councillors and MPs who call for cuts in income tax. We do need more cash from central government including for police and fire services but it will not fall off the Christmas tree.

Coun P Allnatt

Chippenham