Dear Sir, Last week the Vale Council adopted the Conservative budget to freeze council tax for residents across the Vale, despite calls from the Lib Dem opposition to spend an extra £800,000 on uncosted projects without identifying how they would find the money. No wonder the Vale got into financial difficulties in the past. We have set aside £4.5m for infrastructure projects to help communities deal with housing pressures and will be consulting later this year on where that money should be spent. We have also increased grants to the Abingdon Citizens Advice Bureau and Wantage Independent Advice Centre by 16%, something that the Lib Dems voted against. In addition there will be more money for community groups and a fund to help first-time buyers get a foot on the housing latter. In short, by making internal savings that have been identified and costed, we have protected front-line services, kept tax low, and invested money in our communities. Despite Lib Dem proposals that could have increased tax by up to 3.5% we have put in place a strong budget to help us through the tough years ahead. Yours faithfully, 
Cllr Matthew Barber Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council
Cllr Matthew Barber Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council