THE deal that Wiltshire Council has done with the Government to operate a four-year budget in return for being allowed to keep the proceeds of the sale of any council assets has a number of serious flaws.
Firstly, there is the issue of the services and assets that parish and town councils have been “generously” given by the county council. When the excitement of the unveiling ceremonies for the handover of these assets has settled, the town council’s hangovers will begin. 
They will realise that there is a steady stream of costs associated with the presents they have been so “kindly” given. When they ring the county to ask for more money, there will be a message saying “Jane is out in London today and anyway, we’ve run out of cheques.” But then it will be too late.
Then there is the issue of being able to keep the money from the sale of assets, assets that belong to us, the council tax payers, not the Baroness and her cronies. The key to an asset is in the name. 
They have value when you own them and when you lose them you have lost some value. Surely not too hard to grasp.
Now lastly consider these assets. An example of one asset that the county has already sold for more than £60 million was to one Richard Branson. It was Wiltshire community child health care services. 
I wonder if the public in Wiltshire will be as pleased as Mr Branson’s tax accountants about the sale of such an important service? 
The responsibility for this now delegated, vital service still legally rests with Wiltshire Council. 
If they can find time from polishing their ‘nastiest cutting council’ awards, their satisfied smiles will fade as the bills start coming in. 
One reason given for the sale is that it will “provide a high-quality, joined-up and consistent service.” 
This is clarified by telling us that “services offered by five different service providers will now be provided by one provider.” Not so long ago all these services and more were in the control of our NHS.
ELEANOR FREE
Warminster