Tax level higher than South Ken

The sultan’s house is in Kensington Palace Gardens, also known as ‘Billionaires’ Row’ and is probably worth in excess of £20m.

The houses in the Horsham District Council area most comparable to the sultan’s residence must be those in Band H, some of which are probably worth about one-fortieth of his many-roomed mansion.

Their owners, if they live in Ashington or Lower Beeding, pay over £3,000 to HDC.

All local Band H residents pay over £2,900, in other words 40 per cent more than the billionaires of London SW3 and W8.

Perhaps council leader Mr Dawe might use his allotted space in your newspaper to explain why providing for our local community is so much more expensive than for the inhabitants of South Kensington.

About two years ago I recall witnessing two lorries and four men employed in repainting a lamppost in the Denne Road car park.

One might be forgiven for thinking that this provides a clue to at least part of the answer.

Or perhaps not; the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea may find other people’s money just as easy to spend as HDC.

CHRISTOPHER ALLEN

Nowhurst Lane, Horsham