I suspect many residents will be very disappointed with the budget eventually agreed by Green and Labour Councillors but it was certainly a most revealing exercise.

We now know that Labour’s much vaunted contract with Brighton and Hove is not worth the paper it is written on.

We were told earnestly that council tax rises would be kept to rates of inflation.

It may not have occurred to Councillor Morgan that annual inflation is at 0.3% and therefore their council tax rise is nearly seven times the rate of inflation.

It is inexcusable for a party to promise to do one thing after an election whilst doing the opposite before it, particularly as council officers repeatedly find efficiencies that the Labour Party oppose.

During the last Conservative administration, council tax rises were kept to a minimum and we achieved a freeze during our last year after Labour rises of over 10% or more. At every budget since we have backed a freeze.

At least residents now know they face a choice between a Conservative Council providing value for money for taxpayers and a Labour one which seeks to place further demands on the residents of this city.

Nick Taylor

Conservative Party candidate for Withdean Chairman of Brighton North Tories