I READ with interest Coun Ayre’s letter of March 29, particularly as he has been a member of the Liberal Democrat group since 2007 and was in the cabinet for several years.

In his letter he talks about the secret “venture fund”.

I would ask Coun Ayre if he read the finance papers presented to him as a cabinet member, between 2009-2011, as the venture fund, which was set up in 1997, was regularly mentioned in financial updates during that time period and still is.

It is a shame that the fund which has helped with many projects, since 1997, is being attacked by a member who was involved in taking decisions on how it was spent – all for the sake of politicking.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, Deputy leader, City of York Council.