I WRITE further to A Lamb's letter (Shuttle/Times & News, January 19).
It is absolutely correct to say that Wyre Forest has received a fair and just financial settlement for 2006/07. This is only after several years of the district being short-changed. For example £377,000 was re-distributed from our grant last year to other authorities.
The increase may look large, but you have to take into account the extra services that the council has to provide - free travel for OAPs, civil contingencies, election administration, to name a few.
It is also unfair to compare the council's costs to inflation, as this does not take into account the cost of employing people that has risen six per cent (mainly pension costs), energy that has risen 25 per cent, and fuel 13 per cent. I have championed an efficiency programme that will see £1,722,000 saved over three years.
The picture is not quite so black and white, as A Lamb appears to suggest.
I am very conscious that the council tax is a sensitive tax, and that is why I am proposing setting a 2.5 per cent increase for the next three years, which is half of the council's current finance strategy.
JOHN CAMPION
Cabinet member
Finance & Corporate Affairs
Greatfield Road
Kidderminster
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article