SIR, With the coalition government cutting the Assembly budget by £1.7 billion, tough choices have to be made in Wales. Local government is not exempt from this. The Conservatives at Monmouthshire County Council told the public that money was scarce and that, for example, they could not afford £10,000 to ensure swimming remained completely free for the over 60s. The public should know that the Conservatives have £877,000 leftover from last year's budget. This means, for this year's budget, they could have kept over 60s swimming free; they didn't have to inflict cuts to our schools by making them pay teacher inflationary rises from their budgets; and did not have to cut services and budgets to special educational needs children. In fact, they could have paid for all these things and still have £500,000 leftover. In the Labour group's view, these services should not have been cut. We should be encouraging more pensioners to swim and stay healthy, their well-being and quality of life is important. After being told there was no money, the residents of Monmouth will be wondering how the Conservatives could have £900,000 leftover while they witness cuts and extra charges for local services. Councillor Dimitri Batrouni (Leader of the Labour Party at Monmouthshire County Council)