THE only Preston council since the local government reorganisation in 1974, that has proved able to reduce the contribution from householders, while at the same time expand services, was the Conservative controlled council that ran Preston between 1976 and 1980, under the leadership of Councillor Joe Hood.

Councillor Hood's achievement was recognised nationally when he was awarded the CBE for his civic leadership.

Unfortunately, since that time the Labour Party has controlled Preston and since 1981 Lancashire County Council, there have been year on year rate or council tax increases.

Clearly, council tax payers have despaired and wondered what they can do, many have simply resigned themselves to the situation and register their discontent by refusing to vote.

Others have 'experimented' by voting for the false promises of Lib Dem, Green, Respect or others; none of this has any effect at all, it has simply served to divide the anti-Labour and anti-high tax vote, leaving Labour to carry on in the same way.

Council tax payers cannot complain to anyone that they are being treated unjustly, not the government, not the audit commission and not the local government ombudsman, the answer they will get is to make redress through the ballot box.

When council tax payers put their mark on the ballot paper, they need to imagine the ballot box is a cash collection box, and they are writing out a cheque for £1,000 or more, and to feel confident that the name of the party they put on that cheque will ensure that it is spent well in their best interest, based on that party's record of financial good management.

Ray Johnson, Ribbleton Avenue, Ribbleton