Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Do you want a trialogue on the future care of the wellderly?

The annual list of words that shouldn't be used by local government when communicating with the general public has been published by the Local Government Association (LGA).

The latest list includes 250 words and phrases that the LGA would like to eradicate. It includes 'tonality', 'under-capacitated', 'clienting', 'goldfish bowl facilitated conversation' (yes, really), 'thought shower', 'herediatament', 'disbenefits' and 'trialogue on the future care of the wellderly' (which translates as 'talk about caring for the elderly').

The LGA acknowledges that it would be difficult for public sector workers to avoid using jargon when communicating between themselves, but it believes that such language should be removed from documents and publications that are aimed at the public.

Wiltshire Council does quite well at using plain English in its public documents but some of the paperwork sent to councillors should be accompanied by a glossary as we aren't specialists in every field of council work!!