NORMALLY I read Mr Allnatt's missives to the Gazette and Herald with a mixture of amusement and incredulity, before dismissing them as the rantings of poor, misguided soul.

However his letter last week demands a response, since it names me three times, what an honour.

Yes I moved the motion to terminate the lease on Goldiggers. The reason I did this was because this was the second time the issue had come before full council and we had debated it exhaustively on the first occasion.

The correct course to take was obvious. The current tenants were behind on their rent, were in breach of a number of conditions on the lease and were facing a winding up order.

The decision we had to make was to either terminate the lease, or allow it to be assigned to Pizzazz. There was not the question of whether or not to knock the building down.

My argument, which achieved overwhelming support across party lines, was that if Pizzazz were keen to take the property, it would be best to start from a clean slate with a new lease.

By terminating the existing lease and pursuing the old tenants for the money they owed North Wiltshire District Council, we could market the property openly giving Pizzazz a chance to compete for the property along with all other comers.

This was the logical and most cost-effective course of action. Indeed, I did say that North Wiltshire District Council in this case, should act like a commercial property company.

This was an investment property. Surely Coun Allnatt is not going to contest that a nightclub is a community facility?

There is no public outcry about Goldiggers. Coun Allnatt is the only one making a fuss about it. I am certainly not going to "backpedal" on this issue.

I, and those I represent in Wootton Bassett, are sick and tired of the way this Lib Dem administration throws millions of pounds down the drain on fiascos such as the Calne project and the new offices in Chippenham.

Yes, I did seek to rubbish Coun Allnatt's opinions, and will continue to do so until I hear a sensible one.

Come on Coun Allnatt, get off this hobby horse of yours before you make a complete fool of yourself.

STEVE BUCKNELL

Conservative Councillor for Wootton Bassett South

Trow Lane

Lyneham