NEGATIVE financial support for the Marlborough TIC, insufficient funds for Wiltshire Primary Care Trust,

closure of maternity units in Devizes and Malmesbury, appointment of a part-time chief executive.

These are not the headlines for a successful local authority. It is rumoured Kennet District Council sent out a record flood number of unpleasantly worded tax reminder notices.

While I agree with comments from some other people that Kennet District Council at this moment in time is not well run, the facts are that the

average Band D council tax bill in England is £1,102, an increase of 60 per cent (plus £413) since the present Government came to power.

This year's Band D rates for Wiltshire/Kennet are £1,098. North Wilts £1,126, West Wilts £1,118, Salisbury £1,083.

This includes all precepts. Swindon is £1,048 a unitary authority. Only 19 councils out of 364 have less than £1,000 Band D bills.

Therefore it seems Government

policy is switching from the traditional Inland Revenue assessment of tax revenue due, to a devious system through council tax and thereby putting the problems on to local

authorities.

We should through our local press media and the local council authorities themselves demand the 'local government minister' should be obliged to speak at a public meeting in both Devizes and Marlborough to explain the Government position.

We need a solution to the problem, not one authority blaming the other.

B DAVIE

Kennel Row

Netheravon