I AM frankly disgusted at the comments made by Councillor Clement from Appleshaw, reported in your paper on 26 January in which he ‘wasn’t surprised’ that the council tax rise was to include the maximum social care precept.

He suggests that seeing “some of the young people, the old people and the boozers” in Andover is the reason for this.

He goes on to say, “I find myself, when I go to Andover town, I shudder at what sort of people there are.”

Mr Clement shows absolute ignorance at the state of social care in the UK. I can assure him that the lack of funding from central Government is forcing this ‘backdoor tax’ on all of us, not what his arrogant beliefs suggest.

His ignorance extends to the fact that this funding is for the truly needy, dependent members of our society that we should all support.

It is very worrying that such a bigoted, ageist, condescending and narrow-minded person such as Mr Clement holds an elected position in our community. I suggest that he should either consider his position or those who elected him eject him from office at the earliest opportunity.

James Collier, Old Winton Road, Andover.