REIN ON AUTHORITIES TOO TIGHT
I refer to the report that social services to vulnerable people such as Christine Edwards (News Shopper, January 30) may be cut.
Only a small part of local authority expenditure comes from council tax, the rest from grants, from general taxation, and successive Governments have kept local authority expenditure on a tight rein.
We could have better services for our tax if the Government would cease our £30 million a day membership fee to the European Union.
John Youles
Beckenham
LOW TAX - YES, BUT BE REALISTIC
I have followed the News Shopper council tax campaign and recently attended a council-led public meeting on the budget.
I was impressed by the presentation and have a better understanding of council's problems.
I still shudder thinking of a 12 per cent rise but I was one of those who thought that a single-figure rise (five to nine per cent) was reasonable.
After all, school pupil numbers don't increase by the rate of inflation and household rubbish is going up five per cent each year. Low tax yes, but be realistic.
NAME AND
ADDRESS SUPPLIED
WE MUST LOOK AT THE FIGURES
While appreciating the News Shopper's stance, regarding increases in council tax and cuts in public services, it is hard to be objective by raising individual cases without looking at the overall facts and figures.
Could you publish the main areas of Bromley Council's income, expenditure and reserves over the last four years and ask councillors to justify and explain what has gone on?
I believe that only when we have a clear view of the whole picture can we judge.
Tim Fox
Beckenham
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article