JUST exactly when will the Labour-controlled authority in York stop frittering away taxpayers’ money on “nice-to-haves” rather than essentials? I refer to the latest announcement (The Press, January 16) that the council is going out to procurement to provide a “Wi-Fi” service on Park&Ride buses.

This comes only a day after discussions that may culminate in Labour instigating cuts to school bus services to various part of the city, making it more than challenging and potentially dangerous in some cases for children to attend their parents’ school of choice.

I would like to be able to use my smartphone on public transport, but I would prefer to see commercial operators take up and pay for this available technology – and certainly not ahead of vital public services.

This prime example of unnecessary council spending will no doubt be closely followed by an announcement from Labour that they “have to” raise council tax in April.

Coun Paul Doughty, Conservative, Strensall ward, West End, Strensall.
 

• CONSERVATIVE Coun Paul Doughty has criticised the council introducing wi-fi on Park&Ride buses. He argues this is “frittering away” council taxpayers’ money and “tragic” considering there are cuts to bus services. He is way off the mark.

I want to put his mind at rest in saying no taxpayers’ money is being spent on this project. The Government is paying for all of this.

I would have expected Coun Doughty to have understood more about council funding. The Press reported about York’s super-connected cities in December 2012.

Some will have sympathy with Coun Doughty in believing digital infrastructure shouldn’t be a priority for the Government.

I disagree and I believe Julian Sturdy MP would disagree too. He recently called for money for the superfast broadband expansion to be released early, saying many North Yorkshire areas could be “left behind” otherwise” (The Press, January 10).

Coun James Alexander, Labour leader of City of York Council.