Just before the last election, for the first time in my memory, Brighton and Hove City Council decided to abide by Labour Central Office recommendations to impose a 6 per cent hike on council tax.

If it is now planning another appalling 10 or 11 per cent rise, the backlash at the next local government elections will be very severe.

We are rather tired of this Old Labour belief that money grows on trees (we'll tell you what's good for you; you just pay for it).

They could fall with a thump when they climb to gather it from the top branches.

-R A Hopper, Hove Park Road, Hove