I FELT that I should reply to Peter Bingham (Letters, Saturday, March 30) regarding the payment of council tax by instalments.

In Bournemouth, Mr Bingham could have paid his council tax by direct debit in 12 monthly instalments last year.

We have now made further changes and so, this year, residents can use any payment method for the 12 instalments, provided the council is informed in advance.

Those who wish to pay in 10 instalments can continue to do so.

Mr Bingham will no doubt also be pleased to learn that his council tax bill will remain frozen for the third year in a row. Despite increases in the fire and police precepts in Dorset, Bournemouth council has reduced council tax to achieve this – one of only two unitary authorities in the country to do so. We have listened to Bournemouth residents and are doing all we can in these difficult economic times to help those most in need. At the same time, Bournemouth council is managing to continue to retain front line services and is making more money available to support the elderly and the most vulnerable in our local community, with a focus on those most affected by the government’s changes through welfare reform.

CLLR JOHN BEESLEY, Leader of Bournemouth Council