WHEN the unitary authority was created in 2009 I seem to remember Wiltshire Council being very keen to take on most of the responsibilities of the old Salisbury District Council.

Now it appears to be similarly keen to offload a chunk of them.

Why the change of tune? I suspect it is to do with money, as hinted in your article last week.

I am pleased that Salisbury City Council is going to scrutinise the plan to transfer ‘assets’ from Wiltshire to the city carefully.

The need for sweeteners and for the deal to include a staggered funding reduction from Wiltshire Council suggest that the residents of Salisbury could well be facing significant increases in our council tax and/or cuts to our services and local facilities.

While it is good to have more local control of our services, we and our representatives need to understand the implications of this deal and not be bounced or threatened into accepting it.

ALEX RAWS Lower Bemerton