IT has now been 18 months since the Lib Dems took control of City of York Council and to date they have not taken responsibility for any of their actions. It is always someone else's fault.

They blame the last administration, the Government, pressure groups, the press and even sometimes York citizens themselves.

The situation with the Barbican is a disgrace. The pool has now been closed since June, yet it has been heated and treated for weeks so why could it not be used?

Groups have not been given adequate alternative facilities and staff have been laid off when both could have been retained longer.

When they went out to consultation the Lib Dems promised a six-lane pool with a kiddies pool, now both are optional. No matter what excuses Councillor Orrell comes up with, we know when promises have been broken and we are sure the general public do too.

It is time that the Lib Dems took full responsibility for their actions, delivered what they promised to the citizens and stopped blaming others when things go wrong.

When citizens exercise their democratic right to challenge this administration, the Lib Dems do not like it. But these citizens are unhappy with what they are being offered, and it is precisely because this administration refuses to listen to their concerns that residents feel they have no option but to go to a higher level.

Independent inspectors have just given cultural services in York a lowly one star out of three. I want the public to know that it is not the staff who are to blame for these let downs, but this administration.

Coun Alan Jones,

Labour spokesperson for leisure and heritage,

Kingsway North,

Clifton, York.

Updated: 11:30 Monday, November 29, 2004