IN last week's edition of the Gazette were three powerful, logical letters giving a critique of our county elders decision to burden Wiltshire residents with a ten per cent increase in local tax on an already intolerable high level.

The county's financial needs appear to be almost three times that of Kennet.

In view of the intolerable burden put on low income earners struggling with a mortgage, and elderly with low fixed pensions, surely cost savings must be found with a unitary authority.

The county, being the biggest spenders, which shows a poor return on taxpayers' investment in it, should go with their poorly repaired roads, hopeless lack of security in the towns and villages.

I think an enlarged Kennet District Council would do a far better and less expensive job.

There is too much political infrastructure in final council decision- making and it has now been proved this may work for some of the people, but certainly not for the majority.

By squeezing the less well paid and elderly, in an out of control way as at present, this could make matters worse, by forcing people out on to the streets and then the authority will have to house and feed them.

Perhaps an appeal to the European Courts maybe able to help, they certainly give their citizens, particularly the elderly, a better return on their lifelong taxes paid than we do in this country.

BASIL DAVIE

Kennel Row,

Netheravon