I was left rather confused by the front page article in the News Shopper.

From my understanding the Conservatives are proposing to increase council tax in the borough by 21% next year, after telling us repeatedly how terrible it was that the Liberals has increased tax by a total of 36% over three years, and promis-ing the electorate "single figure" council tax increases.

I think an average of 12% per annum is far more reasonable than 21%. Mr Tickner seemed to have plenty to say in his commentary, but most of it attacking others rather than explaining why this is happening. He tried to blame the increases on the Liberals, who were in power until July, and controlled expenditure for the first four months of the financial year.

What I want to know is why the Conservatives have found it necessary in

the last eight months of the year to:

1. Increase council tax by 21%

2. Cut £135,000 from the rubbish collection budgets

3. Reduce tree planting in the borough to the tune of £40,000

4. Axe the Biggin Hill Pool, a cut of £650,000

5. Not appoint a specialist teacher for autistic children in the Borough, a cut of £35,000

6. Stop maintaining footpaths and roads in Shortlands, Petts Wood and the Crays

And how on earth they think they can blame all this on others? If there were Liberal excesses why on earth did the con-servatives not bring this to the attention of the electorate sooner? I have also been told the conservatives have just given themselves 300% pay rises as councillors which shall cost the council further hundreds of thousands. Is this not adding insult to injury?

I am not impressed by this Conservative administration. Perhaps they should heed the promises they have made in the past and stop treating the electorate like fools.

Grace Goodlad

Tower Road

Orpington

November 23, 2001 15:44