HOW gracious of Stockton Borough Council to notice that there are people in their thousands losing their jobs in the area.

How perspicacious to see that this might mean difficulty in paying council tax, and how considerate to limit the rise to only two per cent (Echo, some editions, Feb 17).

How about thinking outside the box and having a nil rise for the coming year, and spread the pain equally? If that means job losses in the council ranks, then so be it.

If a neutral outsider’s input is required on what is really needed, I will volunteer to help with the paring knife. The working council tax payers left – and they are getting thinner on the ground – can only pay so much.

Dennis Clark, Billingham.