I refer to your front page headline on December 6, "Losing out once again," which explained that, since Swindon Council has failed to get the funding demanded from central Government, the council tax looks set to go up by 9.5 per cent, and that schools and services may suffer.

For years Swindon Council has squandered taxpayers' money on schemes that it cannot afford to run, and essential services have suffered severe deterioration.

Huge sums of money have gone to subsidise a fleet of park and ride buses which run every 10 minutes and are almost empty of passengers for most of the day. Yet on other routes where buses are required the services have been cut and the routes closed.

The visitor numbers predicted by the council for the Steam Museum have not reached their target and the council tax payer has had to spend substantial sums of money to bail it out.

These are just two examples of the ill-conceived schemes that have diverted council tax money from essential services such as education and social services. It is not surprising that the Government is refusing to give extra funding to the council.

Year after year council tax has risen at way above the level of inflation. If an individual spent all their money on holidays and entertainment instead of paying their mortgage they would have their house repossessed and find themselves living on the streets. Why should Swindon Council be persistently irresponsible with other people's hard earned money and continue to demand more?

Other local authorities have ratepayers' parties that bypass the dogma of traditional party politics and ensure that the people who pay the bills get real value for money.

There is room for such a party in Swindon. It is time that the ratepayer said enough is enough.

(Mrs) E Fell

Ellingdon Road

Wroughton

Swindon