I’M SURE I will not be the only one replying to the latest news in the Gazette in regard to the 3.47 per cent increase in council tax.

While being a resident in Taunton for nearly 12 years, I can honestly say that I am proud to live in this town, great people, town with a heart, until it comes to our council!

If the people of Taunton think they are getting a good deal, then they will have no problem in paying the extra council tax agreed by TDBC.

RELATED: What you'll get for rise in council tax in Taunton

Things to ponder over value for money are as follows:
1. A Fire Control Centre that is costing us hundreds of thousands but nobody wants.
2. Flood alleviation at 1.25 per cent. No other county nationwide pays for this except Somerset. This was gross negligence by the Environment Agency over nearly 20 years, why are we paying for it?
3. Greedy parking increases. People are now blocking free parking areas in Taunton to avoid paying high priced parking. A few cases to ponder; Vivary car park used to be full, people now park in Churchill Way and walk into town. Heavitree Way is free, so people use it for the railway station and town. This is losing us thousands of pounds because the council are being greedy. Who benefits? Certainly not the residents.
4. An all-time favourite, the roads in the town. We have near gridlock in this town due to the inadequacy of our council. Why is this council hell bent on putting traffic lights on any new junction that appears? Roundabouts work. A relief road with new bridges costing us millions, still not opened. Now they are talking about redeveloping Toneway, a major arterial route into Taunton. Let’s open a bike-and-ride in a two-mile circumference of the town, for heaven’s sake. 
You cannot keep developing houses in an already over-developed town and expect free flow traffic on roads that do not exist!
5. Paying a six-figure payment to a management adviser to resolve council issues. Having seen two local council leaders driving around in top-of-the-range Jaguar cars, a simple solution is get rid of these overpaid councillors and their cars, because they are obviously inadequate at running our council.

In conclusion, whether you agree or disagree, you will be paying for this nearly non-existent service with above-inflation increases.

Local council elections soon, let’s hope we get a council that cares, not cares less!

JACK GOSDEN
Taunton