I WOULD like to respond to last week’s front page story.

In principle I am in favour of localism and transferring local services from Wiltshire Council to the city council. It is desirable to devolve local services to local councils where decisions can be taken at a local level. Clearly the decision to set up a unitary authority and downgrade Salisbury to parish status was not in the best interests of the local community.

City councillors are to be briefed by senior officers on what is in the package and the financial implications with a decision made at the council meeting on 18/07. The outcome of the boundary review will have an impact on SCC’s council tax base and therefore is a factor.

This is being driven by WC needing to save money due to large cuts in government funding. They are very keen, some would say desperate, to get agreement as early as possible and putting pressure on SCC by threatening not to upgrade the CCTV system.

I believe there could be a significant increase in council tax. We may end up having no choice but to accept the asset transfer but at a cost!

MICHAEL POPE

Salisbury City Councillor, Green Party