ROUNDWAY Parish Council will meet on Monday to decide if members want to back a merger with Devizes Town Council.

In the past the parish council has worried that it would be swallowed up by its bigger neighbour and council tax would also rise.

But now parish council chairman Chris Callow believes there could be sufficient advantages gained to outweigh the negatives.

He said: "In the future Wiltshire Council is going to have to make difficult decisions about cutting costs on things such as emptying litter bins, cutting grass and children's play areas.

"There could be economies of scale if the two councils work together and we would be able to keep and improve some of the things that we think are important.

"Taxes would be more in the short term but in the long term we could actually save money compared with what we would have to pay if Roundway was to take over these services on their own.

"I can see myself being labelled the man who brought in tax rises but if we want to keep services we are going to have to pay for them some how."

The discussion about merger has been going on for 13 years. Back in 2002 the proposal, put forward by Devizes Town Council, was seen by Roundway Parish Council as a hostile takeover, resulting in bigger council tax bills for their residents. They opposed the idea, eventually ending in Kennet District Council vetoing the bid.

But in recent years Devizes and Roundway councils have been working together on projects including the Devizes Neighbourhood Plan.

Devizes town councillors have largely welcomed the idea of a merger.