GEOFF ROBB said that councillors should lead by example with regards to cuts (Letters, March 19).

I agree and I would like to thank Geoff for the opportunity to outline some of the ways in which councillors are tightening our belts.

Very soon after the local elections in May 2011, I was asked by council staff if I would continue to claim my mobile phone costs from the taxpayer as my Lib Dem predecessor had. In 2010/11 this cost the taxpayer just under £600. I explained I would not be continuing this practice. I would pay my own bills and this small cost can be transferred into the council’s jobs fighting fund (City of York Council chief’s aid for jobs, August 10, 2011).

In 2012 councillors were recommended a pay increase of almost £2,600 each.

My role was recommended an increase of £10,000 to reflect the responsibility, long hours and full-time nature of my job. These increases were rejected (City of York councillors reject rise in allowances, October 15, 2012).

It is impossible for these savings to plug the gap caused by large reductions in Government funding to councils – £74m over the course of this Parliament.

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