IN the light of the proposed inflation-busting council tax rise, I asked city council leader Cllr Ian Barker specific questions on public accountability.

He answered none of them in his letter published in the Citizen, though he did reveal that the loss made by City Contract Services was 'big'.

Perhaps his colleagues Cllrs Ravetz or Millar could have done better? No chance! All they did in their letters was employ the same technique used by their leader of playing the man - in this case Citizen Smith - instead of the ball.

I thank Citizen Smith for his support but I disagree with his statement that councillors are in charge. It is ratepayers who are in charge because we are the customers. The officer at the town hall are the service providers and councillors should act as our agents. They are accountable to us.

For the next and future financial years my council tax will be capped at whatever the current rate of inflation is. For the forthcoming year I will be paying no more than 2.5 per cent above last year's council tax level.

It is my belief that if the majority of ratepayers adopted this fair and reasonable action we would regain our status and rights, put an end to the usual city council bluster and, most importantly, see a return of public accountability.

S Williams, Morecambe.