Reading the “Don’t bash council” letter from Jim Lynch last week, I started racking my brains trying to remember just where I had come across Mr Lynch before.
Finally, I remembered. He was commissioned by the old Wiltshire Council to do detailed preparatory work on the proposed community area partnerships and their relations to the planned area boards. These are central to the new unitary Wiltshire Council.
This explains his references to Wiltshire Council’s success with local investment and increased community engagement. Personally, I don’t seek to deny the potential of these innovations.
However, it is most noticeable that, in his enthusiastic talking up a good story for the council, he makes absolutely no mention of whether he supports Leader Jane Scott’s massive hike in senior staff salaries and allowances for herself and her cabinet.
These have been pushed through when most local people are victims of austerity. It is this that has thoroughly alienated many from the council.
I think he would find it hard to defend this aspect of County Hall rule. But you never know; perhaps, he might be commissioned again.
Jeff Osborn, Independent Wiltshire Councillor, Chepston Place, Trowbridge.
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