I HAVE just read the report: We can't pay, we won't pay, I once again feel compelled to congratulate Frank Avenell for defending the rights of vulnerable pensioners.
Mr Avenell an 82-year-old pensioner has demonstrated a remarkable insight into the workings of Swindon Borough Council and has managed to identify how serious financial problems have been caused. He has shown that huge liabilities including a £40 million deficit in the pension fund and crumbling schools requiring £51 million of repair work were handed over from Wiltshire County Council to the new unitary authority of Swindon Borough Council in 1997.
This raises serious questions about the competence of managers and the entire administration which negotiated the transfer of these liabilities.
Why did those in charge accept such huge liabilities on behalf of the people of Swindon?
What has happened to those responsible for the unitary authority transition and this appalling situation?
As a consequence of this and other incompetent managerial actions the citizens of Swindon have had to contend with dreadful public service provision and ever increasing council taxes.
Keep up the good work Frank, you are one of the few people in this town who is acting out of selfless conviction in the true interest of ordinary people.
K KANE
Wroughton
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