Having read the letter from Martin Cooper (News Shopper, September 19), I would like to ask since when was council tax meant to be a tax on wealth?

Surely, although the amount of council tax paid is related to the tax band into which each property falls, the primary aim is to ensure that all householders pay for the services provided by the borough.

Is the burden on the borough imposed by the owner of a half million pounds house five times that of someone whose property is worth £100,000?

And yes, Mr Cooper, some properties may have risen in value by 50% in the last three years, but that is no comfort to the OAP whose pension increase is 75 pence but has to pay 10% extra council tax.

Sue Hargreaves

Elm Grove

Orpington

October 24, 2001 9:23