Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

The Cabinet met yesterday at Salisbury.

Wiltshire Council's cabinet remains in a state of denial over the affects of their increased car parking charges on the economy of our county.

A consortium of Salisbury City Centre Management Ltd, their Federation of Small Businesses and the Salisbury & District Chamber of Commerce and Industry produced a report setting out what is going wrong and their ideas on curing the problem. It points out that Salisbury is severely disadvantaged in comparison with towns such as Southampton and Bournemouth and is losing trade as a consequence.

Amongst a number of detailed proposals they object to the two hour minimum period and suggest the re-introduction of a one hour rate. In response WC produced figures showing the costs of the suggestions.

Leader Jane Scott has agreed to meet businesses in Salisbury to discuss the proposed changes. 'We will meet in Salisbury and come to an agreed design on what to do," she said. "There will be more detail by Friday.'

When she has sorted Salisbury's problems out, perhaps she would care to do the same for the county town.