I found the letter published on your website by Councillor Garry Perkins regarding consultants, absolutely disgraceful.

In his letter he boasts that the council used consultants on the university technical college, new schools and for the Stronger Together reorganisation of the council, what ever that is.

Firstly, why on earth does the council need to employ expensive consultants on educational matters? Do they not have staff in the council who deal with educational matters?

He proceeds to boast that the council have just spent £300,000 on consultants on the town centre. Again, why on earth is he spending this much of mine and your readers’ money on consultants for the town centre? Why is he not spending this money on improving the town centre? There are still so many empty shops blighting our town centre, why didn’t Councillor Perkins use that £300,000 to reduce rents in the town centre, so that more empty shops can be filled, then the town centre can improve?

Before I retired from the company I worked for in 1999, they started bringing in more and more consultants and I can tell you for a fact, that they weren’t any better than the staff on the company’s payroll. I read in the Adver a few weeks ago, that the council agreed its budget for next year, but I would like to make a late suggestion. How about the council spends the money it collects in council taxes from me and others, and use it to directly employ hard working Swindon people, many of whom are on the dole right now and need a break.

Andy Smith Basingstoke Close Swindon

Tribute to Jock

It was so nice to see the photo of the late Jock Walkinshaw. My brother Arnold (deceased) and his friends had great respect for him, as he did so much for the youth in Rodbourne.

I believe I am right in saying he started the ‘Rec’ centre in Faringdon Road with the help of the boys. I enjoyed many evenings dancing and made lots of new friends. My brother wasn’t impressed when I started dancing as he was five years older and always kept a beady eye on me. Happy days!

Merle Cooper nee Godwin Green Road Swindon

It’s shortsighted

The problem of parking at Redhouse is not new. The council did not allow for car parking in any plans due to their short sightedness of car ownership in the modern age. It should have been commonsense that most houses have at least two cars and parking should have been planned in when building houses and roads, so parking on your property or parking bays were planned in.

This will always be a problem unless the council ensures parking is arranged and not assume that most will use public transport. Any extra money needed to provide parking should come from the developers and not from the taxpayers.

L White Mulberry Grove Swindon

He’s noteworthy

I would like to add my congratulations to Brunel Brass for a marvellous achievement at the recent West of England’s Brass Band Championships, held at the Riviera Centre in Torquay, but I must say how mystified I am that no mention was made of the musical director, John Winterflood.

It is he with his knowledge, hard work and leadership that got the band where they are. Having spent a lifetime in brass bands, I know the value of having the right person in the middle.

J Jones Stratton Swindon