SWINDON Council is preparing to impose another extortionate tax rise on the town's financially vulnerable citizens.

On November 25, it was reported that next year's council tax may rise by ten per cent. When Swindon became a unitary authority in 1997 a band D homeowner paid £536.81. This has risen to £1,048.34. So where is all of this public money going?

It does not take a genius to realise that salaries paid to council officers are disproportionate to their value to the community. The chief executive is paid £125,000 per annum, his departmental directors are paid £90,000 but his council still fails to deliver decent services.

Recent advertisements for council officers offer salaries well in excess of the Swindon average salary of £26,320. Yet on top of the salary they also offer essential user car allowance, a relocation package and mortgage subsidy. Some posts further include a £4,000 market factor allowance.

It seems to me that there is an urgent requirement for councillors to get to grips with this situation. They must put a stop to the gravy train and direct valuable resources to where they are most required.

(Mrs) E FELL

Wroughton