I READ with interest the continuing arguments for increases in the council tax in order that the current level of services can be maintained.

It should be noted that since 1997, the council tax that I am paying has risen by more than 30 per cent, resulting in £170 more being paid in the year to March 2001 than in the year to March 1998.

With the rate of inflation being below 3 per cent percent, the indexed increase would only have been 10.4 per cent over four years, this equating to an increase between 1997 and 2000 of £67.00.

Perhaps the council would care to explain why their costs in maintaining a constant level of service have apparently increased by three times the rate of inflation, and why a further 15 per cent is now needed when the annual inflation rate is currently running at less than 3 per cent.

IAN BAILEY,

Pinkett Street,

Worcester.