I am surprised no one seems to have noticed the latest trick from Brighton and Hove City Council.

When we moved here in 1993, the council tax was due on the 16th of the month, then for the past three years it was due on the 6th.

But now, for this year it is due on the 1st.

It has also gone up 4.8 per cent, so they are demanding twice the inflation rate to which our State pensions are tied. We will bear this in mind in May.

All these grandiose schemes for the seafront - is the A259 in a fit state and has it the capacity to take all this extra traffic? Have any of the planners tried to drive along the coast road during the rush-hour or do they all swan around in chauffeur-driven limos?

-Mrs J M Page, Rottingdean