KEITH Berry (Your Letters, October 31) asked if Worcestershire County Council could adopt the idea of Kent County Council for a Council Tax rise for OAPs linked to inflation.

This is something already being considered by the council and the idea was discussed at September's cabinet meeting. It is being explored for its legality, effectiveness, long-term effect and interaction with the other benefit systems set up for the pensioners before we reach a conclusion. We will make a decision before this year's budget on whether to proceed or not.

An alternative idea of Local Income Tax as a solution is one that at first sight sounds appealing but has considerable difficulties.

It would raise income tax by between four and eight per cent, which would have a considerable effect on multi-income families; especially those who still have working children at home saving for their first home. It would fuel the 'black economy' and tax evasion. Far more people would avoid paying local income tax, which would affect the honest taxpayers who would end up paying more. It would need to be a central system run by the Inland Revenue, which could give the treasury opportunity to siphon off tax for central government. It could have an explosive effect on the poorest council areas, which would drive the few engaged in economic activity to leave for richer areas to ease their tax burden.

The only true solution to easing the Council Tax burden on those with fixed or low incomes is for the government to fund Worcestershire fairly rather than engaging in Whitehall fiddling and stop using our Council Tax as an extension of its national tax aims and policies.

ADRIAN HARDMAN, cabinet member for resources, Worcester County Council, Oak Lane, Bredon.