I have just read your latest editorial criticising Wiltshire Council, with the inevitable letters pages accompaniment of personalised abuse against our councillors (“self-serving, self-interested, self-righteous” etc).

I really feel your coverage is unbalanced and fails to highlight the good work the council has achieved since its inception in 2009. So, with apologies to Life of Brian; what has Wiltshire Council ever done for us, its citizens? Here are a few examples: 1. As one of a handful of unitary authorities, they have protected us from the brunt of government cuts, both central and local. If anyone doubts this, have a look at neighbouring Somerset and ask yourself, honestly, where you’d rather live right now.

2. Contrary to all the doomsayers (in your letters pages), the demise of our district councils has actually led to an increase in local democracy, in local investment and genuine community engagement. The (18) local area boards, though far from perfect, are a massive improvement on previous local authority platforms. I also wish the area boards had more powers and more funding.

3. Far from being a profligate waste of money, the new council offices are part of a wide-ranging cost-cutting programme, accompanied by the single biggest capital re-investment programme the county has ever seen, via the campus development programme. I challenge readers to name a single local authority engaged in such investment during a time of savage nationwide cuts.

4. As an active, independent, community participant, I have dealings with both elected councillors and council officers. I find the former engaging, non-party minded (in the main) and passionate about their town and county. I find the latter, largely, professional and courteous under difficult circumstances.

In case your readers fear that I’m a card-carrying Tory, the truth is that I’m far from being a natural supporter of a Conservative administration. Nevertheless; facts are facts. By all means, criticise them. But if you want a healthy democracy, then support it.

Jim Lynch, Bradford on Avon.