I WAS pleased to note that the Chancellor intends to increase the financial allocation from central government to local authorities. For Swindon Borough Council this will be too little too late.

Swindon's social services department has been zero rated and a substantial cash injection is required to bring them up to scratch.

The officers of the council have estimated that, without cutting other essential services, a council tax increase of 13.1 per cent will be needed. However, the council have been threatened with capping if the increase exceeds ten per cent. They therefore find themselves between a rock and a hard place.

A recent delegation from the council to the ministry, seeking an increase from central funds (having regard to the fact that Swindon is among the 20 lowest recipients in the country) received a cavalier response.

Over the past two years our council tax has increased by about 30 per cent and we do not have a spendthrift council.

What is the council to do?

For your information I am merely a local pensioner who can afford these swingeing increases. There are many who cannot .

There is a groundswell of public resentment nationally at the levels of council tax which reminds me ominously of Margaret Thatcher's poll tax.

Need I say more?

G THEODORE HEATH

Shaw