SIR — Your readers may remember my earlier thoughts on the waste and uncontrolled costs associated with both West Somerset Council and Somerset County Council.

I attended the last meeting of our local Dulverton Town Council and was struck by the valiant efforts of the councillors trying to balance providing services against vicious assaults from both district and county councils withdrawing previously promised funding.

These local councillors are working tirelessly for no payment to provide the best for the area.

Of particular concern to us here in West Somerset are the proposed closures of the household waste recycling centre, Dulverton library and the lost income from the car parks - these are the most immediate problems although others are in the pipeline.

As both district and county councils have a Conservative majority and Dave Cameron has said that front line services should not be affected by the Government's cuts, "we are all in this together" and that he is promoting his vision of a "big society", can I comment as to how this should affect West Somerset?

Both district and county councils should immediately announce a reduction in staffing levels of the executive and departmental management tiers in line with their reduced income.

This is no different than anywhere in the private sector where managers have to reduce costs to balance income.

In this way (as Dave and George say) we truly will "all be in this together".

All allowances and expense accounts should be withdrawn from all councillors. Expenses should only be reimbursed against submission of printed receipts.

Dave, in promoting his vision of a "big society", foresees a future where unpaid volunteers carry out the functions of experts and skilled professionals (I can see a problem with this, can you?)

There was a certain inevitability in the adoption of the increase in Council Tax proposed and accepted by the town council.

How much more is to come as the district and county councils withdraw services and keep their proportion of Council Tax, leaving the town and parish councils to fund or lose these services?

It is my intention to ask all of the councillors what the lost services have cost and then withhold that proportion from the Council Tax I pay - at the end of the day I will have to pay it but I won't make it easy for them. I would urge all Council Tax payers to do the same.

Do any other readers agree with me or is everyone resigned to accept fewer and fewer services whilst paying more and more Council Tax for what is left? 

Peter V Tout,

Dulverton.