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Council should build

In his letter “No long-term solution”, (SA14th May), John Dennis claims that building council houses is not an affordable option for local authorities. I think he is wrong.

I’m sure that councils could borrow money to finance their developments at lower rates than individual house purchasers can get.

Moreover, by putting their projects out to competitive tender it’s probable that they could at least reduce the eye watering profits that developers are currently enjoying. So the finished product would cost less than comparable new builds being offered for sale.

He goes on to refer to “subsidising housing” in a way which suggests he subscribes to the view that all council housing is subsidised by tax payers. Generally speaking it isn’t and hasn’t been for many years, at least not here in Swindon where the council’s Housing Revenue Account has been self financing, certainly since 1967 to my knowledge.

Rents remain comparatively low because the whole portfolio is pooled, so the more recent properties are financed in part by the surpluses that older properties generate. I think it could be described as socialism!

Meanwhile private sector landlords are setting their rent levels at “what the market will bear”. However, this is a distorted market because many of these tenants receive housing benefit, the cost of which has risen exponentially in recent years.

This is the real subsidy that the taxpayers are funding and quite a slice of it end up in the hands of landlords living abroad who contribute nothing to the UK economy.

Don Reeve, Horder Mews, Old Town

A sad impression

I have today found it necessary to sent the following letter to the Head of Patient Advice and Liaison Service at the Great Western Hospital:

Dear Nerisa Vaughan,

I am a blood cancer patient and I visit the Great Western Hospital regularly.

Today I was most disturbed to see that the concourse in front of the main entrance was littered with cigarette butts - this is often the case, but I have rarely seen it so bad.

We have a hospital to be proud of - I have received excellent treatment as I am sure have many other patients and visitors. It therefore saddens me greatly that the entrance to our fine hospital is spoilt in this way - first impressions count!

Enforcing a smoking ban is, I am sure, very difficult, but it is surely relatively easy to arrange regular cleaning of the concourse.

Joy Simpson, Clarendon Drive, Royal Wootton Bassett

Will marriage last?

LOTS of people are looking forward to the forthcoming Royal Wedding and I hope all goes well. I have though considered many things in my mind and hope that the marriage is one of longevity but, will it last?

Watch this space!

Chris Gleed, Proud Close, Purton