Mary-Jane Jeanes, Merton Lib Dems, in the Wimbledon Guardian, Thursday 8th February 2007

"In last year's local elections, the Conservative manifesto promised that the party would "aim to keep increases in Merton's council tax below inflation". With a proposed increase of 3.6 per cent, it looks likely that this commitment will be broken in their first budget.

Predictably, the Tories tell us this is not their fault and that our Labour government is to blame. However, the Government announced how much cash Merton would get in November 2005 - long before the Tories made their commitment to limit council tax rises.

After years of council tax hikes and poor services under Labour, many people hoped for improvements.

How disappointing then that the Tories' first budget will result in an inflation-busting rise in council tax and, at the same time, cuts in services to pensioners and those with learning disabilities.

Rather than blaming others, why don't the Tories slash the rapidly increasing sums spent on PR and private consultants' fees?

Why not also involve local residents in the budget process rather than simply dictating from above which services will be cut and how much tax bills will increase by? Neighbouring Lib Dem boroughs work to consult their residents when setting their budgets."