We have read a lot about Brighton and Hove City Council and there has been plenty of opposition to ‘static’ roadworks – ie those that never progress, to potholes and street cleanliness.

Letters and articles show people’s concern over the city’s poor condition relating it to mismanagement by current and previous councils. At the same time, we hear that a 5.9% increase in council tax is planned by our Green Council's leader, Councillor Kitcat.

The councillor says the increase is needed to compensate for central government cuts.

He adds he is committed to maintaining services. Without the increase, he says there will be a gap in finances of £25 million; with the increase, the gap will be £20 million.

Maybe I am wrong to think a council in such dire straits might hesitate before embarking on new and risky ventures or before spending on re-planning roads and pavements, for example. Instead, the council could take stock of what already exists, maintain it well and make changes when resources allow. This would improve the city’s ‘kerb appeal’ because, right now, the city presents a dirty and tatty reality.

We are only now starting to recover from a recession. If our personal incomes decrease, we must set priorities. A city must do the same. Items on the wish list must remain on the list until more financially secure times.

Demanding more from local taxpayers and partly justifying it by saying it will not affect the poorest because they receive council tax benefit is irresponsible.

It passes responsibility back to government since it is government that funds the increased council tax benefit.

This council has little idea of how to manage finances in a post-recession climate, only finding the answer in requiring more money from local taxpayers; this, when local taxpayers are not receiving pay increases of 5.9% themselves.

To say, as Councillor Kitcat does, that the 5.9% rise is to maintain standards is in reality evidence of inability to set effective priorities. Is it not time we got angry? G Hopkins Address withheld