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Inevitably, the budget is a compromise budget.

I have no doubt that, had Labour been in overall control of the council, the budget would have been different. I can assure you that, had the Conservatives been in overall control, this budget would have been very different.

For example, the proposed council tax increase of 4.9 per cent wouldn't have been so great if Labour had followed our suggestion of revisiting the issue of fairer charging for supported home living.

Derby is one of only two or three councils in the country which does not charge for home-care services. If those charges were reintroduced, as we suggested, an extra £1.2m to £1.4m would have been put into the budget.

Had this suggestion been followed, the council tax increase would have been no greater than 3.5 per cent - more than 28 per cent lower than what's proposed - but would have delivered the same level of service.

Evidence of compromise is that Labour listened when Conservatives counselled against an imposition of charges for blue badges for disabled drivers.

And Labour listened when Conservatives opposed the suggestion of closing the Tourist Information Centre for up to three days a week. Both of those budget-balancing proposals were removed.

This budget, however, is not all about negatives. There are many positives, including exciting plans to continue the process of Derby's long-overdue regeneration - a multi-million-pound fund set aside for public works for the city centre and a financial commitment to continue to redevelop and rejuvenate the Castle Ward area.

There is funding for an Oakwood library, £50,000 for the Asterdale estate, in Spondon, and 2007 will also see the reopening of Allestree Youth Club.

Conservatives are committed to driving Derby forward and the projects outlined here for 2007-8 are just a few examples of the irrefutable evidence of our commitment to deliver.

Despite the compromises, this is, nonetheless, a balanced budget - arrived at after much debate and argument. You would expect no less.

Our arrangement with Labour did, quite rightly, generate political debate. But, rather than be deterred by the negativity of party politics, we chose to set aside our political differences to help progress Derby by concentrating on our shared citizenship of this fine city.

Cllr Richard Smalley,

Deputy Leader of the Derby City Conservative Group.

On May the 3rd this year you will be voting to elect local councillors to represent you.

Recently, postal vote rules have changed. The City Council should, by now, have written to all those previously registered to vote by post to ask them to complete a form. This will request a signature and date of birth.

The Electoral Commission has introduced the policy to increase the safety and security of postal votes, sent in advance of elections, and proxy votes, which are made on behalf of voters by nominated representatives.

Anyone wanting to vote by post who hasn't already received a form must contact the City Council to request a form. Alternatively, contact our office as soon as possible and we will organise the correct paperwork to be sent to you to complete.