The recent 43.8 per cent increase in what Salisbury citizens will have to pay to continue to run the services they are used to receiving has understandably come as a shock.

I will let others argue the why’s and wherefores of the current situation, but I would like to draw residents’ attention as to why this situation will continue for many more years, if action isn’t taken to include areas such as East Bishopdown, Ford, and Laverstock within the City boundaries, they currently pay nothing towards the cost of running the City.

The City is expected to lay on events such as carnivals, markets, and parades in the Guildhall Square, to provide flower displays and maintain them throughout the summer.

To operate public toilets and keep the streets clean to name but a few items.

Salisbury Journal: John Walsh during his stint as Mayor of SalisburyJohn Walsh during his stint as Mayor of Salisbury

We all expect our City to be attractive, clean, safe and pleasant to visit.

At the moment these facilities are paid for by a dwindling percentage of citizens inside the City Boundaries, while the number of residents a small distance outside continues to grow, Longhedge and Old Sarum being prime examples.

The City Councillors must forget their differences and together put a case up to Wiltshire Council to widen the city boundaries so the cost of running the City, is more evenly shared among those who live close by.

Currently a city resident pays three times more than a Laverstock resident, many of whom live nearer to the Guildhall than the residents of Bemerton Heath. It is time to act.

John Walsh

Stratford-sub-Castle