The leader of the council adopts a very interesting position with regard to his priorities in the spending of Swindon council tax payers’ hard earned pounds.

In his latest column he makes an astute observation – "the more we spend looking after those who are suffering illness because of smoking, alcoholism or obesity, the less there is for anything else."

The interesting thing about all three issues is that they are self-inflicted and often at significant financial cost.

Coun Renard believes the council “has to put people's health before cleaning street gutters.”

I am sure many residents would disagree with him if by “people's health” he means those who, despite education programmes pointing out the life threatening effects associated with smoking, drinking and eating, continue to indulge their damaging lifestyle in the knowledge that the state in its various guises will pay the bill for any care required.

On one point we can all agree with Coun Renard – “the council cannot compel people to change.”

Some would perhaps tell him that it is not the council's business to spend tax payer pounds on looking after those who have self indulged a tad too much.

As to whether putting people’s health before cleaning street gutters is a sensible proposition – I think the jury is out on that one.

Des Morgan, Caraway Drive, Swindon