I should be flattered that Jane Scott has seen fit to give me wider publicity. In her letter in last week’s Gazette & Herald, she refers to the recent council debate to sharply criticise my stance on the fire merger.

Mrs Scott mentioned the available webcast of the debate – accessible via the council website. I challenge readers to watch this and evaluate my case, viz a viz hers. I warn them that they will have to endure tedium and procedural petty fogging of council debate. However, if they stick at it, they will see how the Conservatives attempted to rig the debate; how it had to be adjourned whilst opposition councillors sought legal advice; how the Conservatives changed their motion to an amendment and so on.

During the debate we heard disparaging comments on the Fire Service from Conservative councillors, plus a most cogent case for the merger from Conservative councillor Graham Payne – ex chairman of the Fire Authority. Regretfully, the Conservatives voted en bloc, apart from Coun Payne and a few abstentions from Conservatives on the Fire Authority.

This meant that Wiltshire Council’s position on the merger was not to support it. They took the same decision back in July.

They justified both decisions by saying they wanted more information. This is wilful blindness. The consultation period is now over. Dorset has already voted for it, as has Swindon. Central government is backing it and so it seems are the public, but Wiltshire still can’t. The merger will go ahead, with or without Wiltshire Council. I still can’t see why the council has adopted this dog in the manger attitude.

Jeff Osborn, Independent Wiltshire councillor, Chepston Place, Trowbridge.