IN the March issue of Redbridge Life', the council puts forward its point of view concerning the "selling of some of the property and land that the Council owns...This would generate much of the money we need; we know this is an emotive subject."

I should like to point out the Council own nothing - they are custodians. (I agree they have special powers that we give them.) I believe that now is not the time for huge capital expenditure. The business and money pages of the Sunday newspapers following the Chancellor's budget have pointed out the declining stock market and the diminishing cash liquidity of banks.

In times like these you do not sell your mother's jewellery or your dad's watch and chain, but you do tighten up your budget, spend less, and that spending that must be done is created by not spending on luxuries such as swimming pools, leisure centres and awarding yourselves more "pocket money."

It is time the council sought to reduce council tax and not increase it. In September 1998 I was paying £98 per month council tax. On the latest council tax demand I am now paying £199 per month which is a 103 per cent increase. I cannot help but add that my state pension has increased by 30 per cent over this period.

In the same Redbridge Council newspaper article the "Councillors agree that this issue (the sale of properties) is so important to the future of the borough they want you to have every chance to have your say before any decisions are made, that's why we are launching the Redbridge Conversation."

All very good as long as we do have a say (are not limited to two minutes speak time) and the council pays heed and acts upon what we say.

Keith Ferguson Broomhill Walk Woodford Green