I AM writing to thank the citizens of this borough who participated in this year's budget consultation and whose opinions and comments shaped the policy which was adopted by my colleagues on the Labour Group of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

As well as two successful consultation meetings held in Blakey's Cafe Bar we, the council, also consulted the members of our Citizens' panel who agreed on two basic principles:

a) That there should be no front line cuts in essential services

b) Any rise in council tax should be kept to a minimum and if possible under five per cent.

I'm very pleased and proud to report that both those principles were considered and adhered to by my colleagues with the result that we agreed on an increase of 2.9 per cent in council tax which together with the police and fire precepts have an overall rise of 4.4 per cent. This turns out to be the lowest increase in Lancashire and one of the lowest in the North West.

More importantly is the fact that NO essential services were cut to arrive at this increase.

The bottom line is that the citizens of Blackburn with Darwen will be paying on average less than £2.50 per day for all these services which in anyone's book is excellent value for money.

Coun JOHN MILBURN, Executive Member, Resources Portfolio, Blackburn with Darwen Council.