I AM totally appalled at the suggestion to increase council tax by more than the rate of inflation.
I work for a local authority and my salary increases are given at the rate of inflation.
In the last 10 years, my Redditch council tax has gone up 129 per cent.
The retail price index all items has gone from 150.9 quarter 1 1996 to 193.7 quarter 4 2005, with January 13, 1987, being 100.
If we then convert quarter 1 1996 to 100 then quarter 4 2005 becomes 127.
That is an inflation increase of 27 per cent compared to a council tax increase of 129 per cent over the same period.
In the same time, I have noticed no improvement whatsoever in the level of service provided for my money.
It is about time the council realised people cannot continue to pay significantly above inflation increases in council tax when they only receive inflation level salary increase.
The council should look at the areas where these extortionate increases have been expended and eliminate these areas of expenditure so further excessive increases are not necessary.
TERRY STRINGER via e-mail
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