"WE'RE getting the message!" That was the reaction from Suffolk County Council today as a senior member of the authority looked through the scores of coupons you've sent us protesting about high council tax increases.

"WE'RE getting the message!"

That was the reaction from Suffolk County Council today as a senior member of the authority looked through the scores of coupons you've sent us protesting about high council tax increases.

Deputy leader David Rowe – who is responsible for drawing up the council's budget – came into The Evening Star's office to get a taste of the feeling in the county.

Our coupons have been sent in by people with a wide range of views on what should be cut – but all agree that next year's rise should be much less than this year's 18.5 per cent.

Mr Rowe said everyone at the council accepted another large increase would not be tolerated.

"We realise completely that there is a very strong feeling out there that tax rates cannot go up by such a large amount again.

"The council is listening to what people are telling us, and we are starting our own roadshows across the county next month.

"That will give people the opportunity to tell us what they think should happen directly and we are also setting up focus groups to look at the issue," he said.

Once all the coupons have been received back at the Star, we will hand them over to the council in early November so they can be taken into consideration when the budget is drawn up.

"We will be delighted to accept all these coupons and take the views into consideration – although when you look at the overall budget some of the suggested savings would not have a major impact," said Mr Rowe.