I refer to John Gould’s letter (Oxford Mail, January 20) regarding the savings which could be made by Oxfordshire councils.

Here are some of my suggestions: 1) The city and county councils should merge as one authority. This would have considerable savings, not only with expense allowances. Think how much a developer would pay for County Hall.

I am sure the property could become student accommodation as seems to be the trend.

2) Sell off the land that is, as I suspect, used as private council car parks such as those in Blue Boar Street and Gloucester Green to name a couple.

Again these could be developed into student accommodation.

3. I have not read any reports regarding the council’s £6m investment in Iceland being recovered. Is this being pursued?

Regarding my first suggestion, according to the Oxford Mail there are several councillors who hold positions on both the city and county councils. Are they claiming expense allowances for both?

If both councils are sincere about saving the tax payer money, they should seriously consider these suggestions.

I wait with baited breath.

John Sculley, Coleridge Close, Cowley, Oxford