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A moral case to answer

A COMBINATION of investment and the will to succeed have been heralded as significant factors in supporting Team GB’s Olympic success.

Albeit on a different scale, perhaps both could serve as an example to central government and those who lobby the Local Government Association to review the current fiscal policy to loosen the stranglehold on local authority funding in order to maintain good public services.

Evidence now supports an increasing sense of rejection to the narrative of austerity and its impact on policy making and public services.

It is important that we do not underestimate how good, local public services make life easier and more equitable for everyone.

In Swindon local government consultation overload has not only tired everybody but has also diminished the quality of debate that could inspire a better politics and instil a greater sense of community confidence in the decision-making process.

If we determine to maintain effective local services - children’s centres, libraries, transport and other council services - the final decision cannot just be driven by the economic case but also by the moral one.

PAUL SUNNERS

Chiseldon

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Don’t shout too loud

THE Inland Revenue works out rateable value on everything based on a Band D property, so in Swindon Non Parished Area a band D property for this financial year is £1,449.73.

Inglesham, with no parish council, pays £1,402.68 a difference of £47.05 per band D property yet they still have the benefits of street lighting, bus stops, grass verge cutting, litter picking, and the provision of crematoria, and graveyard facilities at Kingsdown.

The cabinet needs to look into their own in-house anomalies before shouting too loud.

If they can raise a special expense for Swindon, then they could raise a special expense for Inglesham.

DOUGLAS STEWART

Ex-chairman of Swindon Council’s special expenses committee

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Land Fill Tax angst

EVEN though we voted to leave the EU on June 23 Britain still has to pay the Land Fill Tax to the European Union.

The Land Fill Directive was designed to suit Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg which are tiny countries with few suitable areas for landfill.

The Land Fill Tax makes no sense in Britain where we have a much greater capacity for disposing of our rubbish into land fill sites.

British councils are short of money because of George Osborne’s austerity policies, so they are having to make cuts in local services in order pay the Land Fill Tax to the European Union.

NOEL GARDNER

Carlisle Avenue

Swindon

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Olympic media upset

AM I the only person in Swindon who is glad the Olympics has finished?

I’m not having a go at the athletes, they have been marvellous.

But on social media and in TV and newspapers how come every athlete, winner or loser, is a “hero”?

All they did was run, jump, swim, dive etc. How many of them have run into a blazing building, gone to rescue people at sea in gales or gone to defuse bombs?

The most annoying thing of all was the BBC commentators, we only had to have a Brit taking part and they were well over the top. No wonder they were more exhausted than any athlete.

It is brilliant that we won 67 medals but at £4m a time is it worth it?

Well done to all the athletes but the media stinks and think they are the important ones.

DAVE MAISEY

Queens Drive, Swindon

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Nursing with your heart

I FEEL I have to write again, as I did in the mid-1990s.

My reason then and the headline you gave was ‘Value a Great British hospital.’

In the 90s it was my young son who was cared for in such a kind way.

This time it was my elderly mother who had fallen at home. From being picked up by the ambulance, our journey through A&E where, despite the incredible demand on the staff, they were so kind to a little old lady.

A big thank you to the nursing staff and ward clerks of the Trauma Unit. You nursed with your hearts and even though we sadly lost Norah we know that everything, and more, was done with professionalism and care for her and her family.

So, in the 90s I thought it and I still think it - value a Great British Hospital.

PATRICIA BARASCH

Swindon

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Bill is so entertaining

WITH great sadness I read that we are to be temporarily deprived of the wit and wisdom of Bill Williams who is taking a month’s sabbatical from the letters page (SA 23 August).

His jokes are unfailingly hilarious, although sometimes it’s difficult to tell when they are intentional and when they aren’t, but that’s probably my fault. Mostly though I’ll miss his perceptive and incisive comments on such a diverse range of subjects such as coping with smartphones and the benefits to both the UK and Scotland of having strong and wise women leaders.

Still, it’s only for a month before we are to be entertained again by Bill’s clear-eyed view of the world.

By the way, I too think ‘Scarlett Rose’ is a lovely name, almost as nice as mine.

MANDY BARRY-CADES

Matley Moor, Swindon

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Please keep answers

WITH reference to ‘I love the puzzle page’ from Graham Woodward.

Thank you very much Mr Woodward. I, too, love the puzzle page but do not appreciate your revealing the answers. You had obviously completed the cryptic puzzle before my copy of the SA even arrived.

Express your appreciation but keep the answers to yourself please.

VERONICA GARSIDE

Wharf Road Wroughton