I THANK the Evening Press for highlighting the appalling state of disrepair the city's CCTV cameras have fallen into ('Turning a blind eye', January 14).

It was fortunate this situation was not recognised before the recent consultation exercise, otherwise we may have had the statement "a five per cent increase will result in a lack of maintenance of the CCTV system".

Talking of consultation, after the terrible performance of this council, it is time the electorate had a real chance to voice its opinion. A vote of confidence should be held before the city becomes bankrupt.

Paul Gledhill,

Acomb Wood Close,

Woodthorpe, York.

Updated: 11:15 Tuesday, January 18, 2005