THERE was much talk at last week’s budget council meeting from Labour and Green councillors about having conversations with people who they felt they would be willing to pay much higher levels of council tax.

Labour as usual went for the highest level of council tax possible without daring for a referendum, but the Greens had the courage to go for a level which would require a referendum, although the Greens’ speeches showed even they knew they would lose.

The budget consultation clearly showed people do not want a high council tax increase, but York has had a much broader way to gauge residents’ views and that was in May 2015 when the Conservative group stood on a manifesto showing how we would deliver frontline services with low levels of council tax.

In that election, the Conservatives got more votes than any other party.

We understand that council tax is itself a big burden on the most hardpressed and fundamentally we trust residents to spend their own money whenever possible.

Residents’ message has been clear whether in the election, comments or consultation – they want to look after the vulnerable while delivering effective frontline services and at a reasonable level of council tax.

Conservatives in power make that happen.

Chris Steward, Conservative councillor for Rural West York