Madam,

Thank you to the Cambrian News for highlighting the precept increase proposed by Machynlleth Town Council.

With inflation at just under three per cent, it is unwarranted and unjustified and needs to be challenged and scrutinised by the taxpayers of Machynlleth.

It is not good enough for the mayor to say “we have it from good sources that this is what we have to do”.

Who are these sources?

A reputable financial advisor? An accountant? Someone he met in the butcher’s or, maybe, in a cafe about to have direct competition from a town council-run café?

For transparency, the following points need answers:

• Why is ‘contingency’ suddenly needed in the budget?

• Why do “wages and pensions have to go up” – try telling that to NHS and other public workers!

• Why is there a “new staffing structure”? Hopefully it does not include café staff?

• Why does the computer system need to be changed and why is it suddenly “not doing what it should be doing”?

I urge other residents to object by writing to the clerk or by speaking to your councillor in the street. Don’t wait until the large council tax bill drops through your door in March!

Cut your coat to suit your cloth rather than expecting residents to provide more cloth!

Yours etc,

Name and address supplied.

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