I was interested to learn of a proposed "referendum" whereby the local council was asking my views on council tax ('It's just too much', Letters January 3).

This household did not receive any voting papers on this, so obviously council cash has been wasted circulating these voting forms.

I then noted from the letters that, in fact, we were being asked to vote on how much we wanted to pay, not if. Rather like asking a condemned man or woman how he or she wants to be executed - the outcome is not in doubt, only the manner.

I do not want to pay any more than I do at present. Like your reader, my tax only ever goes up. I'm not yet retired, but have had only one pay increase in the last three years.

My employer asks me to provide a fair day's work for a fair day's wage, pointing out the very low levels of inflation and the need to remain competitive to secure my job. I suggest the council takes on board the same principles as any other commercial concern and trim dead wood, be competitive and stop thinking it has a golden goose that will always provide it with what it wants.

Budget with what you have.

Tony Bennett,

Bootham Crescent, York.

Updated: 09:44 Friday, January 07, 2005