SIR – In his letter of July 16, Councillor Godward suggests that Bradford being a balanced Council has not led to “political parties agreeing in a spirit of compromise for the benefit of local people”. This year’s budget was agreed between the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens. Each of these put their suggestions on the table and discussions then led to a budget containing elements of all three. Labour only revealed their ideas hours before the council meeting.

The Council’s budget is always under pressure so each year money is moved around to get the best possible outcome. Labour’s budget, when we finally saw it, included nearly £9 million of savings. Cumulatively, over the three years to 2011, this would probably have added up to not far short of the £45 million quoted by Councillor Godward.

During the budget talks, the Liberal Democrats refused to compromise on support for vulnerable people which is why Bradford is now one of the few councils which still offers help with washing and dressing for people with moderate care needs so Coun Godward is wide of the mark when he suggests that the elderly and vulnerable will suffer as a result of the budget.

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, City Hall