I AM delighted to see that Bournemouth council is, at long last, increasing council tax.

We have not had an increase now for several years, which in real terms actually represents a decrease, and yet many residents have expected services to remain at the same level.

I can’t help wondering if we have all come to expect too much in the way of services offered by the council and while I’m not saying this is wrong, bluntly, if we want the current service levels to continue then we have to pay for them – it’s no good whinging about cuts if you’re not prepared to pay a realistic sum to keep these going.

The current situation quite simply isn’t sustainable and frankly I take my hat off (or I would if I wore one) to the council for managing as well as it has over the last few years under such strained circumstances.

NANCY CURTIS

Sea Road, Boscombe

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