PERHAPS I am one of the few to welcome the 15 per cent council tax rise.

Although it hurts to pay it, the next time I walk through the numerous parks (Lydiard, Queens Park), visit the cemetery, see the rubbish collectors when I put my rubbish bag out, that street cleaners and park keepers are perhaps working towards a decent living wage, and my contribution is going towards this.

With house prices spiralling these sector workers have lagged behind the teachers, firefighters and nurses and also deserve a decent standard of living.

A Kembrey

Edingburgh Street

Gorse Hill

Swindon