I WAS astounded to read the county's fire authority can now decide how much it is going to increase its precept by. When did this happen? Was anyone consulted? Are all authorities in the county going to set the amounts they want? Does this mean that county councillors are no longer controlling these authorities? If not, who is? Who are they accountable to?

As regards our council tax bills, I keep seeing the figure of 5.1 per cent as the county council rise (about £40 per year). But the fire authority wants another £60 per year on top of this apparently. The police authority and the district council also want more off us. So it looks like the total increase on the already enormous council tax will be more like 12 per cent not five per cent and certainly not the four or five per cent demanded by the Government.

What happened? Who is to blame for yet another giant rise of this iniquitous tax? No doubt the Government will blame the council, and vice versa, yet the taxpayer will still be forced to pay up. Is it time to get rid of these politicians nationally and locally and field independent candidates at local and national elections?

The Government cares nothing for counties like Worcestershire and has consistently taken money away from our schools and given it to other areas of the country.

It seems we cannot rely on any of the politicians to look after us.

R Fownes

Wellington Road

Bromsgrove