Two weeks ago you published a letter of mine written in response to one from Mr CA Varnam, who was criticising the increase in council tax along with payment of allowances to councillors.

In my letter, I asked you to publish my address and telephone number, plus other details indicating the range of responsibilities and time commitments of active councillors. Mr Varnam telephoned me, almost as soon as your newspaper was available. I invited him to visit me to discuss his concerns.

As can be expected we disagreed on some matters, but certainly agreed on a whole list of them. He fully supported my campaigns to retain the county Record Office and the Magistrates Court in Trowbridge. I explained how lack of funding, along with the imposition of extra statutory responsibilities, from central government obliged all local authorities irrespective of their political colour to regretfully put up council tax.

He highlighted the problems this posed for people with fixed incomes. I fully concurred and said I would stress this in talking to fellow councillors. We also touched on councillors' allowances.

Towards the end of our hour-long meeting, Mr Varnam was able to tell me much about the the troubles of the then Conservative controlled West Wiltshire District Council back in the 1980s, when the district auditor was called in and senior officers of the council had to face criminal charges. We agreed elected councillors should have prevented the whole affair, but it would have required much more vigilant and responsible councillors who would be able to devote much more time to council business.

We parted, both having aired our views and Mr Varnam knowing he can always contact me to raise further issues of concern.

This week (Wiltshire Times, April 26) you published two more letters from people who wish to raise similar or related matters. They are always welcome to telephone me.

Jeff Osborn,

District and County Councillor.