YET again Labour leader Coun James Alexander tries to blame others for his own mistakes.

This time over Labour’s decision to turn down a government grant and increase council tax by nearly two per cent (March 20).

As my budget amendment showed there was be no need to make cuts to fund a council tax freeze.

This year alone Labour increased reserves to £7.3million while squirreling away millions more in secret funds (EIF, DIF and the Venture Fund).

Our plan would have put less into reserves and used the money to fund a freeze – putting money into the back pockets of residents not into council coffers.

We would still have left reserves of more £400,000 above minimum prudent levels, giving the council the ability to cope with financial risks.

Labour’s rejection of our plans should come as no surprise.

For Coun Alexander helping residents by freezing council tax and investing in frontline services is not a priority.

Instead he borrows to fund city centre projects and builds up reserves while raising council tax and cutting frontline services.

It might suit his paymasters in London to cast the Coalition Government as the bogeyman for cuts, but it is not fooling people in York.

Coun Nigel Ayre, Liberal Democrat spokesman for finance, Galtres Road, York.