We are all in the same foundering boat, the engine is labouring, but instead of all hands on deck, the bridge and state cabins are crowded with those who believe they are entitled to a luxury cruise.

There is no doubt that cuts are necessary, but there appears to be no accountability for past mistakes, and the vulnerable and disadvantaged are expected to make sacrifices.

While many people are upset at the proposed parking charges, this detracts from other issues which will have greater impact on the welfare of our community.

For example, the mobile library service is not appreciated by people who are computer literate, mobile and active. It is a lifeline to those of us with restricted mobility or poor transport facilities, and I have found it essential in my research over the years. Cessation of this service would be a very cruel blow to the more isolated members of our community.

For many people, safe and hygienic public toilets are also an important issue. It is too easy for healthy individuals to forget the difficulties suffered by those who, because of the lack of good facilities, can often be reluctant to travel far from home. In the past the unmanned public toilets were a magnet for vandals, and worse, giving tourists and visitors an unpleasant impression of the area.

It seems that a disproportionate amount of the financial cuts are to be endured by the vulnerable and disadvantaged within our community.

Families with special needs, young people requiring help and support, those currently receiving companionship and guidance within youth projects will all lose out. More vulnerable young people will become alienated and open to the influences of gang culture, and vandalism. Parents and carers of the disadvantaged will become even more exhausted and demoralised without sufficient support.

Meanwhile, in their comfortable security, those with a good standard and quality of living will continue grumbling about expenditure, remaining remote from the more unpleasant inequalities unless they find themselves suddenly affected by disability or welfare problems.

As well as being short-sighted, removal of these supportive services is social vandalism. Disadvantaged people isolated in misery and loneliness will be unable to engage with the community in any positive way. The ladder of opportunity and hope will be removed from the most vulnerable members of our community.

By complaining about issues like parking fees we are in danger of letting these other iniquitous proposals creep in unopposed.

Surely there are people of intelligence and integrity within Moray Council who can devise some more effective means of paring down superfluous expenditure without causing such distress and damage to the quality of life within the community they purport to serve. – Yours etc,

J. Main, 23 Market Drive, Elgin.

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