I AM confused at your report "Parking cash will be spent on transport" (June 3) At a recent ward meeting I attended, a Liberal Democrat councillor admitted that the increased parking charges were to prevent an excessive rise in the council tax.

Being a council, I suppose that the figures can be manipulated so that the money, which would have had to be spent on transport from the council tax, can be shown as coming from the increased parking charges.

Increased parking charges and hours of control are affecting organisations catering for youth.

Of those meeting in a church hall in Priory Street, one is closing, and another is considering whether they can continue.

If increased vandalism is caused by young people having nothing to do, I know where I lay the blame.

Harry H Punter,

Corncroft,

Strensall,

York.

Updated: 12:04 Monday, June 14, 2004