THE focus for public anger, and in particular Cllr Matthew Dean, disguises I suspect the real reason behind the information centre saga (I was one of the 6,000 signatories).

The Guildhall is an unsuitable building for a modern council.

It is not the only listed building where a more appropriate need should to be found.

Effective conservation is about finding uses other that deploying continual maintenance costs.

WE also have no bus termini, no indoor market and no post office and a need for a

large central hotel and a medical centre for non-hospital treatment.

The decline of the city as a tourist attraction and market centre was in decline before Novichok.

Two incidents and unprecedented press focus have accelerated the situation. There is even a lack of facilities for local people. I even hear local people say they are shopping elsewhere.

As far as we can see, recovery is to be achieved by posters everywhere that will not be seen by the

visitors who do not come!

Matthew Dean at a first public meeting to launch a city Neighbourhood Plan said, 'Other local neighbourhood plans regurgitate previous plans .We are looking for new imaginative ideas.'

Many of us would agree with him. The trouble is there does not appear to be any, despite having a

man in charge of recovery from Wiltshire Council.

Mudslinging will not fill the hole that agencies and ineffective councils have dug.

Gregor Condliffe

Salisbury