SIR - Now we know. Durham Council is preparing for another substantial increase in council tax for the year 2003/2004.

When will they realise that you cannot draw water from a well indefinitely? It will eventually run dry. The same applies to the council tax.

The residents of Durham only have a finite amount of money and can not be asked year on year on year to finance a council which seems to have a problem in making difficult decisions in terms of deciding where they should spend the money they have.

I feel sure that Durham residents could think of better ways to spend the money than on subsidising the Gala Theatre and the shuttle bus, which runs empty.

Will the chief executive, Colin Shearsmith, also confirm that there will be 'no knock-on effect' from last year's invoices from the Gala Theatre on this year's council tax bills (ie 2003/4) as per his statement in the Advertiser, dated June 29, 2002. I await his reply with interest, as I am sure all of Durham does.

I would ask Durham residents to write to their local MP, Gerry Steinberg, and their local councillors and ask for an explanation as to why they are going to be hammered yet again.

I would also ask your readers to once again write to me at the above address, with their concerns, and the Durham Tax Payers' Alliance which in the next few weeks will be an official party. We will only be too pleased to take on the council on their behalf.

The Alliance will also be putting up candidates in the forthcoming May elections.

The people of Durham will then have a voice which will act on their concerns and worries, instead of a Labour Party which appears to have forgotten that the people of Durham put them in power but can also take that power away.

Robert West, 9 Wilson Crescent, Gilesgate Moor, Durham DH 11PF

Who serves who?

SIR - I was disgusted when I received my Advertiser (w/e Saturday, January 4): Hefty council tax rise feared.

What else is the council planning to give the councillors as perks after the computers and accessories and plus running costs - and the expenses they already received prior to these gifts?

They would have reserves to tap into if they didn't waste it on paying experts who do not improve anything, sending out three or four sheets in mailings when one sheet would do and block paving back streets (as they did in Seventh and Eighth Avenue).

If it was their own money they would be more economical. But it isn't, it's ours.

So once again I must work out how to make my pension cover my needs because we have a management team at the council who have no idea how to manage.

Why are you there? For our benefit or your own?

E Everill, Chester-le-Street

Elector's fury

SIR - I have never been so angry with this Government and its system, to be held in such contempt by the people who come collectively under the title of judiciary.

It has been well published that to have your home violated leaves the victims with the feeling of having been raped. But the victims show no profit so are of no consequence.

I can assure you, Tony Blair, hell has no fury as an elector scorned. I will be one of the landslide who puts you out in the same way that we put you in.

I will vote for anyone who will guarantee me and my family safe streets, a good education and good health care - all of which you promised. You are such a failure, Tony Blair.

The Press, to which I write, are not without blame for the sorry state of our country. They must be inundated with letters like this. They are our voice so why are they not shouting?

R Drion, Durham

Public debate

SIR - Durham City Council holds public meetings to let the people have their say on various issues, which is as it should be.

In election year why not hold public debates which would enable our people to question the candidates and see them debate with each other? Then we could really see the calibre of person we may feel worthy of our vote.

I would certainly be delighted to see this happen in my area of Langley Moor, Meadowfield and Brancepeth.

Paul Taylor, Meadowfield