PERHAPS I could be granted the right of reply following the comments by your correspondents Jennifer O’Neill and PM Withers who appeared not to support my plea for properly resourced local authorities.
I make no apology for wanting to see, amongst other things, an improvement in the standard of grass cutting on amenity areas, rubbish being collected regularly from highway verges, libraries being kept open and social care being available to all who need it to help take pressure off the NHS. 
All local services have to be funded either by central government grant or by local taxpayers and unless central government has a change of philosophy local taxes will have to rise to prevent a continuing decline in services.
Regarding the points made by Mr Withers about councillors – as all seats on Wiltshire Council will be available for election next year, perhaps he should stand for election and gain an insight into the demands for local services and the restrictions there are on providing them. 
He would also gain a mandate which is something he appears not to realise that all councillors achieve by being elected to serve the community.
CNA Williams
Clipsham Rise
Trowbridge