THE district council is once again proposing to hit the people and businesses of Huntingdonshire with a five per cent increase in April 2008, no doubt to be followed by the county council and the police. This is the maximum amount allowed by the Governmen

THE district council is once again proposing to hit the people and businesses of Huntingdonshire with a five per cent increase in April 2008, no doubt to be followed by the county council and the police. This is the maximum amount allowed by the Government under its capping restriction.

Year in and year out we hear that we are paying less than many Council Tax payers in other areas, although there is no evidence of this, and again and again we are penalised with a five per cent increase. We see no evidence of the councils and police putting in cost-cutting measures and efficiencies, just threats of reductions in services.

This year we have already been hit by a five per cent Council Tax increase, high inflation, car parking costs increased by over 60 per cent, companies closing or reducing the numbers employed, redundancies, massive fuel increases, increased home repossessions. How much more can we absorb?

The councillors putting forward these measures must live in a "parallel universe". We are seen as "cash cows" who will pay whatever they demand. Surely we must hold our local councillors responsible and hope that in future elections we are offered candidates who are realistic in calculating what we have to pay and offer good value for money

There should be an outcry by individuals, local businesses and trade associations against this uncaring and unrealistic attitude of those responsible.

ANTHONY BARRACLOUGH

Burleigh Road

St Ives