Ian Kell is entitled to object to South Lakeland District Council councillors receiving an increase to their allowances (Letters, January 7, 'Councillors take the rise') - for the record a total of two per cent over the past seven years - but I do object to his blatant misrepresentation of our financial management.

He alleges that we are cutting our services by £1,799,000 this year and the next. This is simply not true.

Our total budget is indeed decreasing, by a total of £634,000, over these two years, but this is not leading to a decreased level of services. On the contrary this council is ambitious for our district and is doing more, rather than less, in many areas.

Plastic and cardboard recycling has been delivered in Kendal and is shortly to be extended to Ulverston to be followed by our country areas. Our targets of 1,000 affordable homes to rent and 1,000 new jobs are being met and we have recently opened Mintworks to provide business space for creative industries. We continue to invest in arts and culture when many other councils are decreasing their support.

This has been recognised by the Arts Council and you will shortly hear of an important announcement regarding events in the coming year.

We are constantly increasing our initiatives to boost our local economy and are helping businesses, householders and community organisations to save money by putting in energy saving measures while backing renewable energy projects across the district, including our own buildings.

Your council is able to deliver these increased services, at less cost, because we are a forward-looking council ever exploring new ways to do things and taking full advantage of the opportunities provided by the information technology revolution.

All of this for just £3.38 per week for the band D Council Tax payer, an amount that has been frozen for the last five years.

South Lakeland District Council provides good value for money for all it’s residents and I’m happy to debate our finances with anyone, providing the correct figures are used!

Cllr Peter Thornton

Leader of South Lakeland District Council