So Labour councillors Ruth Potter and Sandy Fraser don't like York Pride (Bother over bins, Letters, January 10). Well, that is not exactly a surprise.

It is just a shame for them that in reality it has uplifted the cleanliness and appearance of the city over the last four years, as measured by residents, the council's self-audit, and backed by independent judges ranging from the British Cleaning Council to Yorkshire in Bloom.

I challenged Coun Potter to back up her claims that street cleaning in terraced areas has got worse under the Lib Dems and list a street which is swept less frequently under the Lib Dems than was the case under Labour.

That was on June 29, 2006. I have not had a response yet, such has been the increased frequency of the deep cleans.

In early 2003 Encams (Keep Britain Tidy) assessed that in the last months of Labour's control 89 per cent of York streets had unacceptable levels of detritus and litter.

York Pride, with the determination and hard work of neighbourhoods service staff, has turned this around. This, together with campaigns to tackle "sacks out early" and graffiti, has made a significant improvement.

However, I am not saying that we are at the finishing line yet. We will continue to improve the service, and with residents helpfully contacting the York Pride Action line, we will get there.

Coun Andrew Waller, Liberal Democrat executive member for neighbourhood services, Askham Lane, Acomb, York.