GARY Sloman (EA Feb 27) draws attention to the fact that five councillors were absent from the vitally important council meeting (Feb 29) which resulted in an extortionate increase in council tax for the coming year.

Conservative councillors representing Blunsdon and Highworth whose presence would have ensured a lower than 15 per cent increase were reported as being on holiday.

Will they feel justified in accepting the proposed large increase in their allowances?

If I were a resident of Blunsdon or Highworth I should now be busily engaged collecting signatures to a letter proposing a motion of 'no confidence' in these representatives of the people, to be forwarded to the local Conservative Association.

FRANK AVENELL

Beckhampton Street

Swindon