Maintaining the level of Council Tax, or even the precept set by parish councils, should not be seen as a 'badge of honour' by local parish councillors, says former County Councillor Russell B Hamilton. Instead he is calling on them to work together to be creative in adapting to taking on some of the services the County Council used to provide.

In a letter to the Ross Gazette he sets out his personal perspective on Herefordshire Council's budget for 2014/15 in which he calls for a substantial increase in Council Tax, of at least 10%.

He believes that unless the County faces up to the fact it cannot sustain public services it will 'become impotent and decisions will be taken elsewhere, by people who are remote from, and have no affinity to, Herefordshire.'

He is concerned that many Councillors are more worried about the short-term government cash incentives to freeze Council Tax, rather than long-term financial stability.

He says that forward thinking Parish Councils will understand and respond to the challenges positively. But he is concerned that many will allege that Herefordshire Council is 'dumping stuff' on them and see maintaining the precept at the current level or reducing it as a 'badge of honour'. Mr Hamilton, who is no longer affiliated to any political party, said:?"They would be wrong and this will do nothing for their local communities and should be questioned at every opportunity."

He claims that Parish Councils have far more opportunities that at any time in the past but he is concerned about their growing politicisation.

He passionately believes in public services and thinks the public should be given the opportunity to express its views regarding Council Tax through a referendum.