IF Gavin Smithers wasn't a Tory, he might be able to talk about political achievement rather than football (Letters, March 7).

Let us remind ourselves of his party's proposals for county funding.

From the budget they published but never put before the council, they proposed to increase council tax, above the rate of inflation, but by 37p per week less than the actual rate set by the Labour Group.

For that 37p, cuts would be made from the proposed spending in the Labour Group's budget for the tax year 2000/2001.These cuts would be brutal.

So I ask the all people of Redditch to compare the choices offered.

From Labour, extra funding in:

a) Education, spending above the SSA funding set for this coming year, as well as the extra investment already being seen in our Redditch Schools.

b) Funding for extra bus services and extra for current services including safe routes to schools.

c) £4 million extra funding in social services, helping the elderly the sick and the disadvantaged, particularly young children.

d) £7 million extra investment in roads for the next three years.

e) Extra provision for flood protection.

f) Modern, state-of-the-art, waste disposal facilities, the first opening on the old Cross Gates site in Redditch on March 19.

This is what the 37p extra will provide us all with.

Do the people of Redditch want all these things under Labour or a 37p per week less rise in the council tax and no improvements and indeed millions cut from education, under the Tories?

Robin King

Huband Close

Redditch