I was astounded at the recent Oxfordshire County Council report about plans for next year's council tax (Oxford Mail, May 8).

I have just had to endure a rise of 13.4 per cent. Now a council finance officer's report was accepted by the executive which predicted a rise of below ten per cent, namely 9.1 per cent.

Is this supposed to be a favour?

This will be followed by 8.3 per cent and 7.3 per cent in the following financial years. What is happening?

I have always paid my dues, but at some point the incredible increases have got to stop.

With pay rises, if you get one, usually in line with Government figures for inflation, at present around 1.7 per cent, how do they think the genuine council tax payers, including old age pensioners, are going to cope?

PETER J. LADBROOK

Wilkins Road

Cowley

Oxford