Tackling the county's housing problems, the cost of living crisis and dealing with the fall out from the Chippenham Future project are among the issues facing Wiltshire councillors as 2023 dawns.

Liberal democrat Leader Ian Thorn said he was concerned about the council tax rise coming in the new year.

He said: “The real test for Wiltshire Council is that it thinks hard about the residents of Wiltshire when it sets its council tax.

"The budget comes up in February and we’ll have an idea of what the Conservatives are planning in the next two or three weeks.”

As for the major political aims of the party he said: “Our aim is to continue to be effectively the only opposition on Wiltshire Council.

“When it comes to the budget we want to provide the real alternatives that reflect the needs of Wiltshire residents.”

He was critical of some of the council’s work over the year.

“One of the major failings has been the disaster that is the Chippenham Future project and the costs that are to be picked up by the taxpayer.”

But he added: “One of the positives has been Wiltshire Council’s response to the cost-of-living crisis. It’s been well thought through.”

Council Leader Richard Clewer said a lot of work was to be done in 2023, but none of it would be possible without raising council tax.

“Addressing housing generally is very important. The rental market is broken in Wiltshire at the moment. We want to try to deal with the areas where we’ve gone from a housing problem to a housing crisis.

“The transformation of adult social care is another big one and that’s well under way.”

He added he was very pleased with the year’s council work in clearing out gullies and in reducing fly tipping.

Labour Leader Ricky Rogers was approached for comment.