Peter Booth's letter (October 5) is very interesting, as ,while he bemoans the effect of parking charges on Hale, he inadvertently supplies the reason: he says that he was a Conservative Council member.

He, and other Councillors, have, over the years, caused the lack of funding for Trafford that has resulted in parking charges and Green Bin charges.

They have insisted on keeping Council Tax at the lowest possible level.

What they have deliberately refused to see is that whilst overall inflation over the past 20 years or so has been low, this has not been true of the rate of house price inflation, especially in areas like Trafford,that are desirable from the point of view of schools and transport.

Even if the value of houses has only increased four times in the past 20 years, has the Council Tax increased by the same ratio? In short,no.

The basic problem,with politicians,either amateur,or professional, or from the left, right, or centre,is that they live in a Utopian world,where everything is provided, without having to pay for it. It reminds me of a song of many years ago,"The Big Rock Candy Mountain" by Burle Ives: "where a bum can stay,for many a day,and he don't need any money".

This seems to be the Trafford policy. By refusing to increase Council Tax in line with house prices,we are suffering in services.We have had a pathetic mess of renovating Stamford New Road, and the inefficient performance of Amey.

There are areas that go underwater after heavy rain, due to blocked drains, and potholes and cracks in main roads.Litter abounds everywhere.

The council needs to bite the bullet and make some drastic increases in council Tax:this tax should be based on the resale value of a property, and not just some arbitrary figure increased with reference to the Retail Price Index.

If Peter Booth wants free parking, roads without potholes, and proper waste collection, then that is the way to pay for it. If people object to such an increase then we will be stuck with parking charges, bin charges, and who-knows-what-else charges, to pay for the minimalist services that we have at present.

David Olliver, Altrincham