COUN Mike Bawden, recently returned from Australia, wastes no time in dispensing "doom and gloom" for Swindon council tax payers with yet another extortionate increase (EA Nov 26).

He is evidently unaware that local government minister Nick Raynsford has stated quite clearly that this will not be allowed to happen.

Swindon BC was branded by the Audit Commission as one of the worst performing councils in the UK. Their profligacy in the use of council tax payers' money is well documented and is responsible in large measure for unacceptable levels of council tax demands.

Unless SBC "trim their sails" accordingly they can expect a similar backlash to that being experienced by local authorities from protest groups in Devon, Weston super Mare and many others.

FRANK AVENELL

Beckhampton Street