Some council blurb dropped through my letterbox, part of which informed me that my council tax was going up by the same percentage as last year.

This sounds ticketyboo to most people. However, the increase is more than that proclaimed. Six per cent levied this year on a figure increased by six per cent last year will be more.

This is an example of how our local masters are succumbing to the spin disease rapidly spreading from the corridors of Downing Street and into local council chambers throughout the land.

Perhaps clever doctors at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford may be able to produce a vaccine to combat this disease, but I'm afraid they may be too late as it would appear to be of epidemic proportions already.

Most senior council employees retire early with a very good inflation-proof pension, mainly paid for by Oxfordshire council taxpayers.

Could the treasurer tell us how much of our council tax is funding this pension scheme and how much is being used to fill a black hole in the fund? The expected silence will be deafening, no doubt.

Due to Gordon Brown's raiding of private pension funds, I am pleased to announce that my retirement will be when the nails are inserted into the coffin lid.

My epitaph? Born free, taxed to death.

TONY ANCHORS, Didcot