MY postbag is as full as ever and many questions concern the funding for our local services.

This is, of course, largely a matter for Wiltshire Council and I met its senior managers and leaders recently to review business and financial plans for the next four years.

As a Wiltshire resident I was impressed with what I heard.

Despite the 29 per cent reduction in council funding from central government we will see our council taxes frozen for the next two years while there will be almost £100million of new investment in front line services.

Unlike other councils, Wiltshire is not closing a single local library or children’s centre but savings are instead coming from sensible commercial decisions such as reducing the staffing bill, cutting red tape, improving the purchasing of goods and services and cutting the number of local council offices from a staggering 98 locations to four major hubs.

There will always be local decisions or procedures on which the council and I do not see eye to eye but compared to many other areas I think we are fortunate with our locally elected representatives.

The future of the armed services is also a key local issue and I recently asked questions in the House about armed forces redundancies and long term support for veterans.

I want to see the government doing all it can to redeploy existing personnel into high quality civilian roles, possibly in teaching or mentoring young people where our service personnel have so much to offer and I discussed the importance of this work during a visit last Friday to the Army Recruiting Centre in Salisbury. The team there were also very keen to explain that despite the SDSR, the Army is actively recruiting for all ranks as the supply of young talent must be maintained.

As always, if you would like my help with anything or want to attend one of my local advice sessions then please do contact my local office 01672 519198.