IN response to the letter from the Mayor of Devizes in last week's Devizes Gazette, I would like to put the record straight concerning the attitude of Roundway parishioners, towards the Devizes Town Council's proposal to absorb this parish.

Roundway parish councillors, in their own time, and with no expense to the parish, visited most homes within the parish during the time prior to our submission to Kennet District Council.

As is to be reasonably expected, all the residents on the electoral roll were not at home to be contacted work, university and numerous other reasons causing their absence.

However, the councillors collectively were able to personally speak to 1,058 members of our electorate and ascertain their reaction to the Devizes Town Council's proposal, and 1,038, or more than 98 per cent were against the proposal.

It is reasonable to consider this sample of more than half of the electorate to be a good indication of the general feeling of the parishioners.

The signed petitions were sent to Kennet District Council before the closing date of October 31, along with a letter stating the reaction of Roundway Parish Council to the proposal.

In that letter our council pointed out that it considered the town council's only motive for the proposal was to increase its income, it being embarrassed by the high cost of running its affairs.

In no way is that high cost caused by the proximity of Roundway and there would be no benefit to the residents of Roundway by their parish being absorbed.

All residents of Kennet district pay council tax towards the cost of running Kennet District Council, thus Roundway residents pay their fair share toward the costs of development in Devizes which are funded by Kennet.

Roundway Parish, and most other parishes in the wider Devizes community, are represented in local community affairs by their involvement with the Devizes Community Area Forum.

This parish council also stated that the considerable cost of proceeding with the proposed review could not be justified.

Referring to the article headed "The second battle of Roundway is set to begin," I would like to correct two errors of fact.

It is incorrect to state that most people living in Roundway believe they live in Devizes, and the Devizes town precept is nearer three times that of Marlborough, not nearly twice as stated in the article.

VIV ALEXANDER

Chairman, Roundway Parish Council

Roundway, Devizes