When I received last year's council tax demand it was accompanied by a single sheet, partly paid for by advertising, setting out how my taxes were being spent.

This year's demand for taxes, which have been increased at five times the rate of inflation, was accompanied by a lavishly produced 48-page booklet with the same objective as last year's single sheet.

Not only was it expensive to produce but many highly-paid man-hours must have gone into its production.

I was also informed that the booklet was available on request in large print, Braille and on tape and they could also arrange for it to be produced in another language.

No wonder our taxes are going up so dramatically when we are subjected to such bureaucratic waste.

Sidney Roxan

Chapel Lane

Hankerton

Malmesbury

I have received through the post an unsolicited leaflet addressed to "The occupier" and entitled "Improving North Wiltshire."

It comes from North Wiltshire District Council and is introduced by the chief executive of that council.

It can be assumed that all north Wiltshire properties have received a copy of the leaflet which blatantly endeavours to convince us of the excellence and efficiency of our district council, a view not necessarily shared by all residents.

When we are within six weeks of an election at which the efficiency, or otherwise, of our district council will be judged, it might be expected that the ruling political party would distribute such a publicity leaflet.

But for it to be issued apparently by the chief executive and his communications staff, at our expense, suggests either a lack of judgement or a lack of political impartiality on their part.

I hope it is the former.

Ronald Scott

Lanhill, Chippenham