Tuesday will see Wiltshire Council set its precept for the 2015-16 financial year. The Conservative administration is sticking to its mantra of ‘No council tax increases’ but is, instead, planning a swathe of cuts which will affect many residents.

One such planned cut is to the funding of the RUH Hopper bus which is well used and, together with other benefits, reduces car use into Bath. I urge all residents to let their Wiltshire councillor know their opinion on these cuts – especially if their local councillor is Conservative. If enough ‘true blue’ councillors fear for their re-election in 2017 they might actually have the nerve to vote for what their voters want rather than how their group leader at County Hall tells them to.

The meeting is open to the public and starts at 10.30am in County Hall, Trowbridge – perhaps a large turnout of members of the public would convince the Conservatives that they have misjudged public feeling this year.

Ernie Clark, Wiltshire Councillor for Hilperton Division, Independent Group leader, Wiltshire Council, Stonelea, Hilperton.