In an article (Rises are out of our hands says Galloway, Evening Press, January 7,) our esteemed council leader, Steve Galloway, states that the tax problem in York is out of his council's hands because of the poor grant that the city receives from central government.

Can Coun Galloway explain why York gets a lower grant per capita than other places in the UK? And also what he is doing about this?

His council (I don't like using the term our - citizens of York - council because they don't seem to do much for the citizens) should be finding ways to save money and ways to obtain more money from central government.

After all it is not a hidden fact that we are now paying more in taxation than we have done in recent years.

It would also be interesting to see what our MP is doing about this - any answers Hugh?

Clive Appleyard

Westminster Road, York

Updated: 10:55 Monday, January 10, 2005