SIR — West Somerset Council face an interesting conundrum. The ruling group's political predecessors had embarked on a policy of a low Council Tax base which left no margin for contingencies or savings. As a result, in a time of economic crisis, there is no nest egg to weather the storm.

As a result, the forecasts and projections predict that the West Somerset Council will operate in serious deficit within 18 months and that the only solutions are:

a) A Central Government bail out.

b) A merger with a neighbouring District Council - ie Sedgemoor or Taunton Deane.

c) A rise in the existing Council Tax by 30 per cent.

If the council opts for the 30 per cent increase, then that is when the situation gets really interesting because the council will then automatically trigger a referendum clause in the capping legislation.

The Council Tax payers will then have a choice to choose, via this referendum, the road ahead.

The first salvo in this campaign was launched by Peter Humber of Withycombe two weeks back through your reader's letters page and I was dismayed by last week's Free Press to read the vitriolic accusations laid against him.

I have never agreed with everything that Peter Humber has said but I would defend his right to say it.

In their criticism of Peter Humber, councillors Taylor and Heywood, both refer to the 'hard working' and 'considerable time and effort' ethos being expended by West Somerset Council on behalf of the Council Tax payers.

Councillor Taylor also refers to the 'open, transparent and increasingly efficient culture' of the council.

To my mind, given that the way they deal with criticism, the only option that brings favour to them is the status quo option and every other alternative voice is to be slated at source.

I hope I'm wrong, because 30 per cent is a large increase and I would prefer the counsel of intelligent people to discuss this matter in an open and transparent manner without recourse to personal abuse.

David Banks,

ex-Town and District Councillor,

Watchet.