Finance

A: I am surprised by your comments, as I understand that the processing of council tax is one of our better performance areas.

Occasionally even the best systems slip up, but if you have a specific case that you want me to look at, please come back to me separately - write to me at the Guildhall or send me an email, cllr.dmerrett@york.gov.uk

Q: Why will I be faced with another huge council tax again rise next year?

Andy B, Osbaldwick

A: Our council tax in York is substantially lower than the national average - we are in the bottom part of the range for council tax and the lowest of the 9 authorities that make up the North Yorkshire area.

We recognise concerns about past council tax rises - a significant part of last year's rise was due to an increase of over 40% in the police's share of the tax, which we have no control over.

Secondly no decision has yet been made on the level of Council tax for next year.

This decision will be made after a full debate at the Council meeting on 21 February next year. The wider context is that Labour nationally and locally is improving key council services such as education, social services, the environment and transport.

That costs money - and whilst the Government is putting in substantial increases, they are also expecting matching additional funding via council tax.

The Government's assumption for next year is that our council tax will rise by 6.2%. Per head of population, we are the lowest spending unitary authority in the country, and one of the best performing on the independently audited measures the Government requires.

And part of that is because we have worked hard both to achieve the quality and be efficient in how we do it - that means we have little room to make further savings and efficiency improvements (which we're always looking for).

But what I can promise is that we will be doing everything we can to keep our part of the Council Tax rise as low as possible but must continue to provide services to a high level of quality and meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities.

Q: Do you feel that York's image as a prosperous' city is also a hindrance?

Andrew W, Huntington

A: If you are considering how York is perceived by people outside, I certainly think its true.

The fact that we have a lot of people on low incomes and a lot of social need, is not at all obvious.

This can make it difficult for us to argue for increased Government funding - we have countered that by being much more effective at putting our case to Government.

For example, in the funding for the Local Transport Plan, where the consultation and resulting quality case we put together, convinced the Government that a higher level of funding for our size and population was allocated.

A: With the York City Council bankrupt under labour ( 4 million overspend ) and a at least 6% hike in local taxs, how can the leader of the York Labour party ask for someone to open his letters on a salary of £20,000.

Bill Bennett Holgate, York

Q: If you read the District Auditor's reports over the last few years, on the financial management of the council, you will see that he regards us as financially prudent and running a well-managed authority.

I've already covered the issues of council tax in one of my other responses this evening.

I am responsible for leading a council that spends a quarter of a billion pounds a year, and I think its important that I am able to concentrate my time on the key issues involved in leading the authority.

Virtually every other major local authority that I've ever come across has a reasonable level of support for the council leader - some offices of people, involving quite considerable numbers.

I am certainly not looking for that, but having a limited amount of assistance to deal with the many less important issues and details, I believe is an important way of me leading the authority effectively.