EMBATTLED council chiefs have today thanked The Evening Star for our Cap the Tax campaign.Finance boss David Rowe praised the fight for lower taxes after scouring the 272 coupons sent in by readers.

EMBATTLED council chiefs have today thanked The Evening Star for our Cap the Tax campaign.

Finance boss David Rowe praised the fight for lower taxes after scouring the 272 coupons sent in by readers.

He said they had given an invaluable insight into public opinion.

In a letter to the paper, Mr Rowe said the campaign had "resulted in a large number of responses and added to our own consultation events and programme."

Mr Rowe's comments came after readers' tax coupons were delivered to the council last week.

The letter thanks readers for their thoughts on council tax and services the people of Suffolk would like to see cut.

He wrote: "I have now looked through each one of the 272 returns.

"Overall, the majority of the respondents wanted to see no increase in council tax for the next year, or said that any rise should be no higher than the rate of inflation.

"The services on which they feel more money should be spent include older people's services, roads and policing.

"I can assure you all the comments contained in the returns will now be considered."

Although policing is not the responsibility of the council Mr Rowe assured respondents their comments would be passed on.

I would like to thank your readers for their contributions to your recent campaign about the level of council tax, in which you asked what services the county council should spend more and less money on.

Following you presenting all the responses to me last week, I have now looked through each one of the 272 returns. Overall, the majority of the respondents wanted to see no increase in council tax for next year, or said that any rise should be no higher than the rate of inflation.

Policing is not the responsibility of the County Council, but I will ensure these comments are passed on. The things which came out of the responses as most popular to be cut included traffic management schemes, councillor allowances and staffing, particularly at management level.

I can assure you all the comments contained in the returns will now be considered together with the responses to our own consultation and will influence the Council's decisions as we prepare the budget for next year.

I would like to genuinely thank the Evening Star for its campaign as it has resulted in a large number of responses and added to our own consultation events and programme.

Yours sincerely

David Rowe

Deputy Leader of the County Council and

Portfolio Holder for Financial and Strategic Planning