Sir - Since 1996, we have been campaigning against cuts to front-line Social Services.

Although Oxfordshire County Council has received more money lately - £742m this year - council tax continues to rise: 13.4 per cent last year and 6.25 per cent in 2004.

Oxfordshire remains one of the highest charging authorities for domiciliary and day services.

Many disabled people of all ages are still missing out on essential services.

Some excellent work is being done, but it is not nearly enough.

Now the finance department has decreed that £17.4m savings must be found this year, so the council executive wants us to face up to further front-line service cuts.

What on earth is going on?

Oxfordshire Social Services has dropped in the star ratings to one. There is a shortage of care managers, delays in assessments, many older people are still sharing rooms in residential care and there is a desperate scarcity of respite care for young and old, to name just a few of the problems Oxfordshire people are facing.

Yet £7m is to be spent to get social services finances on track. Will this costly new system work?

Will there be a budget that actually matches the needs that must be met that we can understand?

Will funds no longer be blown away on madcap schemes like Cornmarket Street?

And, most importantly of all, will it mean that disabled and frail people get the essential services they need?

People in need must be our priority.

Margaret Coombs

Divinity Road, Oxford