I was astonished at the claims made by Councillor Tony Newman (Cut to Pieces, Croydon Guardian, October 11).

Either he suffers from a very short memory or he is attempting to fool Croydon's residents - and himself.

He is quoted as saying that the council is not £37m in debt and that such claims are "at worst fantasies". Has Coun Newman forgotten the cabinet meeting in January - at which he was present - when a £22mdeficit was confirmed? Did he not see the writing on the wall back then?

It seems that the Labour opposition is finding it very difficult to admit the sad financial position they left this town and even harder to accept the fact that the new administration is prepared to take very tough decisions in order to rectify the situation.

Decisions that they were incapable - or unwilling - to take.

Bearing in mind there are no more car parks left to sell, I would ask Coun Newman a simple question - how would he claw back £37 million?

COUNCILLOR LINDSAY FROST Received by email