Mr Cunliffe (letters April 8) really has missed the point.

A few years ago, St Helens Council was intent on selling Rainford Village Hall - it was only when they realised there was a convenant on the premises that they were forced to let Rainford keep its community centre.

Yes, Rainford Council Tax payers do face one of the highest increases in the country - and that is because our borough council is sixth highest in the Council Tax league table.

The reason why Rainford's precept has risen by 15 per cent is to pay for items Mr Cunliffe is complaining about - improved disabled access (including a lift) in the village hall and for the complete refurbishment of the building as a local amenity.

Plans are well advanced for this project and this year the parish council has allocated an additional £5,000 for preparatory work - hence the reason for the increase. The council has also applied for National Lottery funding for the project.

So let's be clear. Labour wanted to sell our village hall (and no doubt direct the revenue from the sale to its projects in the Labour heartland of the town). Rainford Parish Council saved the hall for the village and will endeavour to make it a focal point for the community at the start of the new millennium.

J. A. Brown (Rainford Parish Councillor), Rainford Conservative Group.

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