Keith Brooks sent Christmas greetings to all except Oxfordshire County Council, on the basis that it "seems to get pleasure out of squandering council taxpayers' money, then blaming someone else" (Oxford Mail, December 24).
I am taking the opportunity to send him some light New Year reading -- a report by the Audit Commission, an independent Government watchdog, entitled Council Tax Increases 2003/04 -- Why were they so high? I hope he finds it interesting. It sets outs reasons for the high level of council tax increases as follows:
The Government switched national funding from the south of England to the Midlands and the North.
Councils faced substantial cost increases, well above general rates of inflation, directly attributable to Government policy.
Councils generally spent efficiently but directed some of their spending towards local priorities rather than national ones.
Perhaps I can remind Mr Brooks that Oxfordshire County Council's tax rise was almost exactly the national average and was the second lowest of all county councils in the South East. I am beginning to suspect that his harping on about the county council's spending is driven by political motives, rather than a thirst after truth.
A document that substantiates what I and others have been saying may not prove welcome to him. I cannot help that.
KEITH MITCHELL
Leader
Oxfordshire County
Council
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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