Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Not a very inspired agenda, but full council doesn't have many powers!

The council tax setting meeting of Wiltshire Council takes place tomorrow at County Hall.

The meeting starts at 10.30am and is open to the public. If you wish to speak you must register before the meeting starts.

The most interesting agenda item, so far as the public is concerned, is probably the proposed average tax increase of 2.3%. What has happened to the millons of pounds that 'one council' was supposed to produce?

In the afternoon, the Cabinet meets (again, this is open to the public) and they will be discussing getting WC back into the council-house building business. Whilst affordable housing is needed, why does WC feel the need to get involved? There are over 30 Registered Social Landlords (such as Selwood) in Wiltshire. Why not leave the provision of affordable housing to the dedicated experts?

With the department concerned already being tagged by an outside inspection body as 'not being operated ia a cost effective way', I get the sense that this could be a case of 'empire building'. I hope that I'm wrong.