Sir,

Pembrokeshire County Council have decided to increase rates by 2.9 per cent for the coming year, 2011-12. Why are they not able to cut their costs as every other business and household in Pembrokeshire are having to do?

With the economy in a downturn, would it not be possible to freeze rates for the coming two years?

In Scotland there has been a rates freeze on residential and business rates for the past three years; England have implemented this for over two years.

Also, in their wisdom, Pembrokeshire County Council have taken over the role of employing traffic wardens within in the county. In the first week, approximately 50 tickets were issued in Saundersfoot alone.

This is killing local trade, with the few shops that are currently open, reporting a drop in takings of over 30 per cent. The same is happening in Tenby, Narberth, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock.

When will the council realise the damage they are causing to the local economy?

Philip Booth,

Amusement Centre,

Saundersfoot.