I WANTED to respond to comments made by Gez Kirby (Argus Nov 12). We make no apologies for freezing council tax to help families and individuals struggling to cope with the worst recession in modern times.

Cllr Kirby omits to mention that millions of pounds will have been wasted under Labour’s rule because of the unlawful pay scandal. The pay rises awarded by Labour to senior officers have not been rescinded and the result is that they will cost residents £1.5 million up to the next council elections in 2017. In addition, almost £1 million will have been paid out in legal and audit costs and payments to three suspended chief officers by January next year. This already amounts to almost £20 coming out of the pockets of each and every elector in Caerffili County Borough, without the additional costs to come!

Cllr Kirby makes reference to Plaid Cymru councillors leaving a meeting of the council’s budget committee, but conveniently forgets that the Labour Party walked out of a budget consultation after only 20 minutes when Plaid was in control. He really should check his facts before he starts tapping on his keyboard.

Colin Mann, Leader, Plaid Cymru group, Caerphilly County Borough Council