Council tax hiked

I HAVE just received my council tax demand and am surprised that once again it has been increased, even though council services have been greatly reduced.

My road has been riddled with potholes for years, awaiting repairs. The refuse collections are only fortnightly, with extra charges for garden refuse. The local police station has been closed, with only one officer to cover the whole borough.

Parking charges have been increased on every road in my neighbourhood, including for residents such as me and my visitors.

There are threats to close our only local amenity, the library, which has been downsized as the council is renting out space to businesses.

But where is all this extra money going? Maybe the increase in council tax is due to the new, over- staffed council offices being built, though we are always being urged not to contact the council by phone or in person, but to do so online. PATRICIA HOLIAN, address supplied. I HAVE received my council tax demand for 2018/2019, band F, and was horrified to see an increase of 7.5 per cent. This is more than double the rate of inflation.

How can the council justify this unfair increase? The roads are badly in need of repair and the city centre is full of charity shops, betting shops and empty shops.

ANTHONY PELOSI, Swansea. AN AVErAGE 5 per cent increase in council tax? I should be so lucky. Mine has just gone up by 12.5 per cent.

Mrs PAT TYLER, Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire. HErE on the sunny South Coast, band D was £1,356 for 2016/2017, and now it’s been increased to £1,805, which is a hike of 33 per cent.

Mrs JANE BECK, Brighton.