I am pleased to see that Coun Tom Wells is to look carefully at our budget (Malvern Gazette, February 7).

I look forward to him fulfilling his promise of December 5 to the county council cabinet, of which he is a member, to table an alternative budget. I welcome all constructive proposals.

The Conservative administration at County Hall is deeply worried about the effect a substantial increase in Council Tax will have on everyone, particularly those with fixed incomes and the less well off. We have tried hard to limit the damage of having over £13m taken from Worcestershire by the Government and have managed to reduce the rise to 12.9 per cent from a prospective 14.8 per cent.

At the same time we are trying to maintain the progress that has recently seen the council rated as 'good' by the Audit Commission, who awarded top marks for the use of our resources.

The Government has challenged us to continue raising our education standards, delivering better care for the elderly and improving our roads, but it has slashed support from 67 per cent to 64 per cent of our budget. Stealth taxes again!

Coun Adrian Hardman, Resources Cabinet Member, Bredon Division, Worcestershire County Council.