Before Wiltshire acquiesed to a unitary authority being established, which was supported by both the police authority and NHS Wiltshire, government funding has drastically reduced.
A publicity caravan spent three or four hours only at the major towns, the minority able to attend were informed of millions that would be saved in the first three years.
However the police authority announced at the end of last year the figures for each of the financial years 2009 and 2010/11 was below the average for shire counties.
The unitary authority is the lowest funded in England, who have already complained about road funding and Wiltshire residents are well aware of the condition even before a more severe winter. We have also read of 5.5 million redundancy payments and 4.4 million overspend at Salisbury offices. With regard to NHS Wiltshire we do not have to be reminded of the cost this has been to citizens and patients, true there is a promise the remaining Chippenham Hospital will be improved but only if application for government grants are successful. Meantime we await the extent of the annual deficit.
The unitary authority have promised to save millions, ask for an explanation when they do seek election.
Cyril C Page, Malmesbury Road, Kington Langley.
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