You Write: Tax times two

They then withhold that collected tax from the institutions responsible for the provision of those services - forcing councils to raise tax. Government is taxing twice. Council tax is a another stealth tax.

Tony Blair said, commenting on the firefighters' dispute: "No responsible Government can give way to double digit pay demands with inflation running at about two per cent."

How then can the firefighters - and the rest of us - afford to pay a 25 per cent council tax rise (over two years) with inflation running at two per cent a year?

Brian Clouston OBE, Durham

pension sums

SIR - Over the last five years, during which time the New Labour Government has attempted to devastate this once prosperous country, I have watched my pension increase annually at the massive rate of 1.7 per cent. This is well below the current rate of inflation and has resulted in a steady reduction in the net value of my income.

Over the same period my council tax has risen from £62 per month to £91 per month, an average of nine per cent.

If the current forecasts coming out of county hall are accurate, the next increase will be in the order of ten per cent.

For those (particularly Labour) councillors who required the assistance of a new computer (financed by us) to interpret the above information for them, the bottom line is that your maladministration of Durham County Council finances has long ceased to be a joke.

D Halford, Chester-le-Street

Boycott continues

SIR - Following my publicised council tax boycott, begun on October 1 2002, I have now received a computer-generated demand for payment.

When I pay for something, I expect - and have a right to - value for money for that payment. At the present time I am not receiving anything like value from the councils' organisations.

Almost weekly I have to contact one or more of their services over issues such as litter, rubbish collection, disorder and parking. They are constant problems which are not addressed in a 'joined-up' way.

The councils' stated strategy is to make Durham the best place to work, live and raise a family and to encourage local democracy.

Attempts by myself and others to get the councils to do that are, at best, ignored but more usually rejected with half-truths (being charitable) and gratuitous insults.

It is with deep regret that I feel obliged to continue my council tax boycott since I have exhausted all other ways to get action.

When the councils provide value for money and restore my family and my quality of life I shall resume paying the tax.

Mike Costello, Durham

Touching concern

SIR - How refreshing it was to read of county council leader Ken Manton's concern regarding the council rate increases faced by Durham ratepayers. It brought a lump to my throat.

What a pity this concern did not surface when he and his Labour Party colleagues squandered hundreds of thousands of pounds of council tax payers' money on computers, furniture and this Gala Theatre.

If I were a cynic I would say the upcoming council elections and the possible end of the gravy train promoted this outburst.

Incidentally, could council leader Manton explain how his recent trip to America was of any benefit to Durham ratepayers?

Under this Labour council Durham is now in a sad state of decline.

S Grendale, Belmont, Durham

Accident statistic

SIR - I would like to congratulate Durham County Council for making me an accident statistic due to its policy of not gritting certain roads and pavements in the city area.

I fell on an icy path and badly bruised by ribs and my wrist and could easily have been killed by falling into the road.

Does Durham County Council not realise that accidents like this are commonplace in winter?

I feel heartily sorry for the older folk of Durham who must be scared stiff of venturing out in the bad weather. We are suffering and I lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of the council and its inability to run a prudent budget.

Finally, I would like to thank the gentleman on a bike who stopped and helped me back to my feet. It restores my faith in human nature.

Robert West, Durham Taxpayers' Alliance

An MP worth having

SIR - I would like to reply to the anonymous writer of the letter regarding Kevan Jones MP.

As a resident of the town of Chester-le-Street since 1938, I believe that I have experience of the local council and of past MPs.

I would like to say that Kevan Jones is an excellent MP for North Durham.

I have found him to be honest and straightforward in any dealings I have had with him. He looks you in the eye when you meet him and I can vouch from experience that if he is requested to pursue any problem of whatever nature, he will follow it up and report back on it without fail.

Perhaps in local authorities in the North Durham area a degree of complacency had crept in. If so, then a strong lead from the constituency MP is not such a bad thing.

It has been noticed by our residents' association that the district council has become more approachable and that meetings can always be arranged.

In the meantime, let us all work together for Chester-le-Street. Kevan Jones is a strong MP who am sure will benefit the district of Chester-le-Street and the people of Chester-le-Street.

W P Dinsdale, North End Residents' Association

Co-option no option

SIR - Following the sad death of Coun Billy Atkinson late last year, Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council has co-opted Labour City councillor Philip Stoddart to represent Ushaw Moor ward.

Whilst I have no doubt that Philip will carry out his duties to the best of his ability, I feel that the parish council has acted foolishly by making a co-option.

Co-option is undemocratic and should only be used as a last resort. People do not like the idea of councillors appointing their mates on to councils.

Up until now, the parish council has been a fully democratically elected body. Now it is not any more. Thus the whole of the council has been devalued by Labour's actions.

Why could the seat not have been left vacant? After all, the whole parish council is up for re-election in May, which is only a few months away.

All Liberal Democrat councillors who were present at the meeting voted against co-opting, as we believe in letting the people decide who their councillors are.

Richard Ormerod Lib Dem group leader,

Brandon & Byshottles Parish Council

Lib Dem sense

SIR - I refer to Ron Glasgow's letter (You Write, January 18). He accuses Liberal Democrat councillor Nigel Martin of urging the council not to raise the council tax but not giving due consideration to the effects on services.

At the time of setting this year's 14.8 per cent increase in council tax, the Liberal Democrats proposed a carefully costed amendment to reduce the precept by one per cent This was defeated by the Labour councillors.

Liberal Democrats are realistic in decision-making and aware of the need to protect services, facilities and opportunities in our area, whilst trying to control an unacceptable escalation in council tax. It will not be easy.

Barbara Howarth, Durham county councillor, Belmont

We want to help

SIR - Reading E Everill's letter (You Write, January 11) filled me with dismay. Does E Everill really and truly believe that councillors are only in it for the perks?

As someone who is thinking about attempting to become a representative of the people, it makes me stop and think how many other people are of the same mind.

I can only speak for myself but I am sure that the overwhelming majority of councillors, of whatever political persuasion, are councillors because they care passionately about the people they represent.

I see only lots of hard work with precious little spare time and the only perk being the satisfaction of helping people and giving something back to my community.

I do hope this letter does not put people off wanting to work on behalf of their community. Surely, it has got to be a good thing to want to make a positive difference to people's lives.

Paul Taylor, Durham