The Cornwall County Council increase of 10 per cent on Council Tax is a severe burden to the residents of the Duchy.

Together with district, police and town council rises it will mean that I have to find £68 extra this year: nearly double the rise in the old age pension, with other goods and services on the increase. Councillor Nicholls speaking on radio and television said that the £20 million was going to be spent on education, social services etc for our benefit.

A regional newspaper report suggested the tax raised will be allocated somewhat differently, as shown below.

Last year economic development, planning, tourism and Objective 1 funding accounted for £2.7 million.

This year the spend will be six percent of the budget, around £22 million. An increase of £19 million. I would hazard a guess that this will be used for matched funding for Objective 1.

The residents already pay £86 million per year to the EU, a total taxation of £105 million to get about £15 million from the EU.

Just imagine what £86 million let alone £105 million could do for the services or reduction in taxes.

A COOK

Liskeard