IN reply to Walt Meadows (Letters, April 10), it also 'beggars belief' that he thinks that the electorate can be hoodwinked into believing that Blackburn Council is some sort of Left-wing tribe - worse than Liverpool's - which has deliberately hiked the council tax up to a ridiculous level.

Let me put the record straight.

Last year, the council was given a subsidy which would effectively offset council tax bills. So instead of the seven or eight per cent increase, which would have been the case, everyone received the same.

The public were informed of the situation and to expect a substantial increase this year. Instead of another eight per cent rise, as would have been the case last year, it was consequently a 17 per cent rise.

Most people understood why this came about. Others, such as Mr Meadows, have tried to make a political football out of it.

To compare Blackburn with Left-wing councils such as Liverpool is just plain ridiculous. Most people I know are happy with the work councillors are putting in towards making our town a better and safer place to live in.

As a final footnote on council tax, Blackburn's is still one of the lowest set rate of taxes in the country.

JOHN MILBURN (Labour candidate, Ewood Ward), Laxey Road, Blackburn.

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