A letter and questionnaire are about to be sent to all residents in Oxford who will be affected by the proposed charges for residents' parking schemes.

The Tory-controlled county council is committed to the laudable plan to keep council tax increases to a minimum while promising not to make any cuts to services.

But in Oxford, unlike in the leafy Tory-voting villages, many, if not most residents will be faced with a charge of an extra £40, plus £15 to use their cars and have visitors. If that is not a council tax increase in all but name, we don't know what is.

The letter, which is entirely biased towards promoting the argument for charging, suggests that the county council is consulting residents on their opinions about the proposed introduction of these charges.

However, if they read the letter carefully, they will see that it has already decided to promote the introduction of charges for residents' and visitors' parking in Oxford.

Look at a nearby lamp post and you may see a notice (if it hasn't been torn down by a disgruntled resident) telling you that "Notice is hereby given that Oxfordshire County Council proposes to make the above mentioned order" etc.

It proposes a charge of £40 for most residents' parking schemes and 60p for each visitor's permit, bought in blocks of 25 at a cost of £15 per block.

This seems to us to be an unbelievably insensitive charge on those who need friends and relatives to visit.

How cruel can the Tories be? Do pensioners have to buy a £15 block? They also will charge contractors £15 per week to park guess who the contractors will pass their costs on to?

Your readers should realise we are being conned. It doesn't matter what we say the Tories are hell-bent on charging for residents' parking in Oxford.

This consultation process is a complete farce, but all we ask is that residents who receive the so-called consultation questionnaire make sure they return it and leave the council in no doubt that the proposal is totally unwelcome.

Here are some suggested answers: Q1Q3 Don't answer any answers imply acceptance of the scheme Q4 Answer that residents' charges will be "too high" and suggest a charge of £0 Q5 Answer that visitors' charges are "too high" and suggest a charge of £0 Q6 Answer to "disagree" that there is a case for charges.

In the comments section, residents can write: "I am totally opposed to the introduction of charges for residents' parking."

Let's make it a referendum against the charges. At least the Tories will be embarrassed after they ignore residents' views.

JOHN SANDERS (Councillor) GILL SANDERS (Councillor) Oxford City Council