I am sorry, but this image represents the sense that people get when they try to get help from Wiltshire Council. People do often feel suicidal at the complex application process, and the result of, massive delays and unfair rejections. I meet and support them regularly in our local communities across Wiltshire.

I was working for Wiltshire Council Unitary Authority when (despite claiming it would improve services when it was established) they reduced the Dementia Team by 2/3s and expected the remaining handful of Professional Staff to continue as usual. Other Teams were also cut by more than half.

Like many other professional staff at the time, and as as has been reported to me since, Professional Staff feel bullied and unsupported by Line Managers and the Executive Staff of Wiltshire Council. They struggle to meet the demands of their clients, whose numbers and problems are increasing.

I get confidential reports from Wiltshire Staff in every department, and many of these are forced to give up work, The impact of these constant reductions and resignations are impacting upon remaining staff, who are disciplined for criticising and even for going off sick due to work stress.

Of course, the rest of you at the receiving end of these 'so called services' know the impact all too well. I know all Councils are struggling right now, but Wiltshire is particularly bad and also hides the truth of what they have a legal duty to tell. 

The result of Wiltshire Councils actions is serious 'Shortfalls in Statutory Services' to the people of Wiltshire. They are obliged by law to declare these shortfalls. They avoid this by every duplicitous means and their Legal Department in complicit in Misinforming and failing to inform the public. They may not even be informing Central Government *as they are required to do).

Meanwhile Wiltshire Council is selling off all the Community Assets to the private sector and failing to pass back community assets to Town and Parish Councils, usually by duplicitous methods, again advised by their corrupt and incompetent Legal Department.

If you wonder why your Housing Benefit and Council Tax claims are often rejected. That is again a strategy advised by Wiltshire Council’s Legal Team, who recognise that most people in financial distress now find it difficult to get community support and legal advice and will often just give up.

People need to be properly informed of their entitlements and get guidance and support from Councils regarding their applications. Wiltshire Council avoids this and make access to information on their website, via emails and telephone as difficult as possible. This is a deliberate strategy and should be legally challenged.

If you Benefit, Council Tax. Disability or any other benefit is rejected (or fall short of what you understand is your entitlement) you are entitled to get a ‘Statutory Review’. If that does not resolve your issue or concern, you are then entitled to appeal and have your case dealt with in Court.

When I worked as a Community Advocate, I won every case I took to court. Judges can usually see through these legal scams, but Wiltshire Council still tries it on, knowing that their complex and incomprehensible guidelines will bemuse people and that the long wait times on the phone and getting email or post responses, that many of you will give up.

Please sign this petition to expose Wiltshire Council’s serious failing of duty. Please do not blame the person at the end of the phone. Their team will also have been reduced in Wiltshire Council’s strategy to reduce cost, whatever the consequences for you and others.

This situation has arisen because Unitary Authorities tend to be very Top Heavy, with Executives on very high salaries, bonuses, and perks, while many Wiltshire Councillors are more interested in keeping their Political Party Happy than in serving you. They see our Community Assets as Their Corporate Assets.

I also suggest that you get these Tory Cheats out. Any coalition would be better than what you have currently. Expect more sale of your Community Assets, More Housing Estates on Green Belt for Commuters, Deteriorating Roads & Pavements, Deteriorating Services, Inadequate Education and other Infrastructure,  and complete contempt for the people they are supposed to be serving.