Some Wiltshire councillors seem to be forgetting the purpose for which they were elected. Having forced through a hostile takeover of the former district councils against the wishes of the electorate (according to a MORI poll) and all the district councils themselves, and having misled the electorate through the leader’s propaganda machine that they were ready, many of the activities the present Cabinet indicate otherwise.

As a resident who hails from the North Wiltshire district, the remarks of Coun Dick Tonge, concerning his unilateral decision to restrict parking in Devizes Market Place to 30 minutes, show how far removed he is from the real world. He blames the economic situation in retail trade for the reduced turnover of Devizes businesses surrounding the Market Place. His suggestion that getting more people on to buses is preferable to making decisions that assist traders to improve the footfall around their businesses defies belief. Even county councillors on the Devizes Area Board went along with this regrettable decision and apparently failed to represent their elector’s views on the issue. The government White Paper on Localism is promising to pass such powers down to town and parish councils. With ludicrous decisions like this being made by County Hall, the sooner the better!

Tony Molland, Whistley Road, Potterne.