MY dealings with the city council's finance department leads me to believe a large amount of its deficit can be attributed directly to incompetence.

I had the misfortune to be unemployed for six weeks between July and August this year. The Benefits Agency gave me a form to take into the council to stop council tax payments. I heard nothing. The council continued to take these payments from my bank account.

On September 11 I received a pre-printed postcard saying: "We are replacing our computer systems and are currently unable to make any changes to your bill.

"I expect to be able to deal with your inquiry in two weeks."

I have received nothing from the council since and have now cancelled my direct debit and refuse to pay them any more money until this matter is resolved.

I conclude:

York council has spent a large amount of council tax payers' money on a computer system that doesn't work properly.

As well as failing to refund people they are presumably not collecting new council tax off people who have moved into the area since July or come off benefits in that period.

The council is putting people who are suffering hardship in the York area under unnecessary pressure.

Katherine Bell,

Bromley Street,

York.

Updated: 10:24 Thursday, October 16, 2003