I READ with disgust about the proposed increase to our Council Tax from next year.

I currently live in a band C property on the Highfield Estate and, according to your article, will be expected to pay £912.87 next year. I would dearly like to know just what the council spend my hard-earned money on, because it certainly is not on the area I live in.

The roads and pavements on the entire Highfield Estate are in an appalling condition and, after a summer of grass cutting, are full of weeds. There are no facilities in the area for young people, which leads to bored teenagers roaming the streets making people's lives difficult. There aren't even play facilities for children, other than one park with climbing frames and swings which hasn't been improved for 18 years.

Six years ago we chose to live in the area because of its surrounding open countryside and pleasant neighbourhood. Since then, it appears to have been tragically neglected by Bolton Council. They sold an open field to developers. All that has happened is they have allowed 80 properties to be built. Three years on they are still "battling" with developers to provide the football pitch and playground set up in the agreement made when planning permission was given. The roads have been abused by the heavy vehicles brought in by developers and I can see no attempt at using any money to improve the area.

I haven't touched on crime in the area, because, compared to some areas, it is not too bad, although the young people do cause some disturbance. I read your paper every day and it appears to me that the conditions in my area are not isolated, and, in some cases, there are even more problems. These are further aggravated by issues like the proposed closure of the courts.

I realise that, in today's climate, prices have to go up, and that we pay less than when we paid rates, but we surely are entitled to expect value for money. So please could the council explain why, despite currently paying £263 a year more than when we moved in, we live in a less pleasant environment?

Mrs A J Collingborn

Caldbeck Drive

Farnworth, Bolton