CONSULTATION was the buzz-word with the last City Of York Council - and the present incumbents seem keen to take matters further.

In theory this is a fine idea. After all, it's local democracy so local people should be fully involved.

Yet the leader of the Liberal Democrat-controlled council wants to push this process to new levels. Faced with a looming cash crisis, Steve Galloway is asking York residents for ideas to help save the budget.

A gloomy report from finance chiefs has warned that council tax bills in the city could rise by at least six per cent next year - although a steeper rise of 15 per cent has not been ruled out.

Savings running to millions of pounds need to be made, according to an alarming accountancy report. This warns that a wide range of financial demands is facing the council during 2004-5, most especially in education, where the budget is said to be under "severe pressure".

So Mr Galloway wants to ask York people to suggest ways in which savings could be made. That is mighty generous of him. But pardon us if we feel suspicious about this approach. After all, the people of York voted for a change in regimel and gave the Liberal Democrats their chance to run York. The local electorate made its choice - and now the council has to get on with what is admittedly a tough job.

By seeking budget suggestions from residents, Mr Galloway appears to be asking the voters to do his job for him. For his part, this seems to be a soft option and an easy way out. Mr Galloway is the expert, he is on the inside - so he should have the knowledge to make these difficult decisions. Deflecting hard choices on to the voters could be considered a cop out.

It is easy to wonder if Mr Galloway isn't just playing politics - putting forward a stark worst-case scenario in the knowledge that the eventual budget will not be so bad as projected.

So while it's nice to be asked, most York people will be thinking: sort it out yourself, Steve.

Updated: 11:27 Monday, September 15, 2003