A YEAR ago, I seem to remember Della Cannings, the North Yorkshire Chief Constable, saying that the 76 per cent increase in the police precept of the council tax would be the last time she would be coming to the cash cow of local tax payers for an inflation-busting handout.

If the 20 per cent increase she is now asking for is allowed, the amount we will have to pay will be at least 100 per cent more than we were forced to pay two years ago.

Has anyone seen a more accessible police presence over this time? The only copper I have seen in our village over the past couple of years was a few weeks ago. He was setting up a speed camera, and his 'jam sandwich' was parked discreetly away near the tennis courts.

Our last visible village bobby, PC Asher, kept control and was seen to do so, on his pushbike.

One final question for our media friendly Della Cannings. How much of the last two years' increases in the police precept has gone to pay for a) police pensions, and b) employers' contributions to the police pension fund?

Geoff Robb,

Hunters Close,

Dunnington, York.

...I NOTE that council leader Steve Galloway said it 'beggared belief' that the Government had awarded York only a 4.3 per cent rise, below the National Average of 4.7 per cent for a unitary authority (12 per cent council tax rise fear, November 20).

He hinted that York's council tax could rise above 12 per cent for the forthcoming year, also that savings would have to be found in education and social services, even if tax bills went up by that much.

It's the same old story, every time we are told that essential services will have to be cut.

Has he put any thought as to how this vast rise, which is well above the rate of inflation, will affect couples with young families and pensioners who are at the moment struggling to cope with this last increase imposed on us?

It seems that Coun Galloway is prepared to ignore the statement made by the Local Government officer, Nick Raynsford, who said that he expected them to come in with none or a very modest increase this year and that local authorities will be prevented from introducing council tax rises significantly above the inflation rate.

I suggest that he takes note of Coun Dave Merritt's suggestion and gives some thought as to high spending plans.

Terry Cooper,

Hopgrove Lane South,

Malton Road,

York.

Updated: 09:41 Monday, November 24, 2003