Once again Swindon council have out-performed. Even after being given extra money from central Government council tax payers are paying 15 per cent more next year.

My council tax has gone up by another £200 per year which is now some £600 more than five years ago.

I notice in Monday's paper that council rents are only going up by an average of 3.84 per cent.

Why? Surely I only have the same requirements on council services, refuse, education, roads, footpaths, recreation etc, etc.

I have worked out, based on the average council house rent being currently £45.84, the following: Average increase from £45.84 to £47.60 /week over 11,000 council houses raises £1m more. A 12.5 per cent rise raises £3.3m more.

Why is it that the burden of increases is not spread evenly across all residents of Swindon? This is legalised robbery against private householders.

I plan to make all of my payments as required this year until the last payment and then I will pay an amount equal to a seven per cent increase over my 2002-2003 bill for my last payment.

D Smith

The Bramptons, Swindon