Selby District Council plan to refurbish the central car park in Tadcaster. This plan includes a new Tarmac surface, lighting columns, some landscaping and provides a very small toilet block. This work would cost the ratepayer about £450,000.

Last year a private developer submitted a plan for the same car park. This plan would resurface it with magnesium limestone, provide new lighting columns, more spaces in which to park, extensive landscaping and, compared to the council plan, better toilet facilities. This plan would cost the ratepayer nothing.

The district council intends to charge for car parking in this car park; the private developer does not and is willing to purchase the land involved from the district council. This would mean that instead of costing the ratepayer £450,000, there would be a profit to the ratepayer of over £100,000.

Take your pick - a car park built to high standards at no cost to the ratepayer, free to users in perpetuity and part of a comprehensive plan for the town centre; or a bog-standard car park for £450,000 plus parking costs.

Where is the best value to the town or ratepayer in the council plan? If the district council insists on using ratepayers money on this project it would be an irresponsible use of their power and of public funds.

No wonder Selby District Council is rated as one of the lowest performing authorities in the country.

Steve Helsdon,

York Road,

Tadcaster, York.

Updated: 10:05 Tuesday, June 08, 2004