IF your anonymous correspondent (HAS, Oct 15) had actually read the article about the Cummings family’s Council Tax affairs (Echo, Oct 14) he or she would have known that the decision about payment was taken by the Valuation Office Agency, which is part of HMRC. The county council has no say in the matter, so it is quite wrong to accuse it of failing in its duties.

Many will find it highly regrettable and offensive that your correspondent links his inaccurate remarks with an attempt to excuse the murder of Harry Collinson, the council officer shot dead while carrying out his work.

I would like to suggest that you stop publishing letters with the tag ‘Name and address supplied’. Those who wish to share their opinions should be willing to let readers know who they are, and not hide their identity under the cloak of anonymity.

Michael Broadbent, Hamsterley.