WITH reference to "Building firms fear Town Hall axe" (April 3), it strikes me that people are not seeing the bigger picture.

Four large, out-of-town contractors providing a better service at less cost than smaller local contractors? I don't think so.

They will utilise their vast resources (at a cost) to enable council departments to reduce staff and consultancy expenses.

This will ultimately show a larger turnover of profit for less departmental expense.

Council staff who are surplus to requirements will be forced into other departments or pensioned-off early on half salary - no real savings there.

The end result will look good on paper for Bolton Council, but local taxpayers will ultimately pay more for the work.

Some small contractors, with 20 or so years' trading with the local authority, will go out of business because their companies have evolved serving the council's needs. But, hey-ho, that's life.

A saving on paper that actually costs more in reality.

This sounds like another stealth tax to me.

Concerned employee and council tax payer Address supplied