I'VE always had a healthy respect for train-spotters. I can't see the attraction myself but anyone willing to stand for hours at a windswept station to catch a fleeting glimpse of a chunk of metal is clearly determined and committed.

I used to have a similar regard for councillors. It's a position I wouldn't touch with a barge-pole but appreciate other community-minded citizens are more willing.

Such esteem evaporated after last Tuesday's full meeting of the City of York Council, on a night better remembered as the 'storm over teacups'.

Leader Coun Steve Galloway bore the brunt of the criticism from the football club for inviting councillors to take a tea-break just as he was about to make a greatly anticipated statement on the future of the Minstermen.

To be fair to Coun Galloway, I believe his offer was made slightly tongue-in-cheek. The statement was for the benefit of the newly-elected councillors rather than those already well-briefed on the situation.

However, that several councillors decided to go for a drink rather than listen to a highly controversial issue that could determine the future of a community asset was appalling, a terrible kick in the teeth to all those fans who fought so hard to save their club.

This was an issue not just about the football club, but one that affects the athletics club and the rugby league club. It will impact on the people of Huntington, Bootham and Heslington, as well as trade and transport across the city.

I feel sympathy for the council. The current predicament is not really of their making but stems from the decision of Bootham Crescent Holdings to separate ownership of Bootham Crescent from the football club.

However, compare the lack of vision from the Guildhall with that from South Wales.

Lawrence Bailey, Swansea Council Leader, announcing a new £24million stadium for their city, said: "Swansea needs and deserves a modern sports stadium where talent flourishes... the sporting and economic benefits will be immense....people can see we are a city on the way up."

Do the people of York not deserve the same as the people of Swansea?

Yes they do, and Labour councillor Alan Jones suggested as much when he boldly stated: "Mediocrity will not do. We should aspire for the best."

Unfortunately, Coun Jones was talking about how big the swimming pool at the Barbican might be.

An hour or so later, when City were being advised to accept second-class facilities, mediocrity was suddenly in vogue.

Yes, the Liberals may be getting it in the neck but the Labour group hardly covered themselves in glory, preferring instead to argue over council procedures and times of meetings.

Private jokes, one-upmanship, back-slapping, point scoring - it was the stuff of the playground.

City's future provided a perfect opportunity for councillors to show their worth.

An independent councillor asked one question. Galloway answered. That was it. No debate. No searching questions. Seemingly, no interest in a focal point for the community that attracted hundreds of families to its open day on Sunday.

However, just how interested are the people of York in the City of York Council?

Not much, judging by only 38 per cent of the electorate bothering to vote in May's elections and less than one in five of York's population voting Liberal Democrat.

So here's my suggestion. The authority can be relocated to a far-flung outpost and forgotten about. Huntington Stadium would fit the bill.

At the same time, the football club could move in at the Guildhall. Meeting pitch requirements might be a problem, but at least the fans will be close to the action. And judging by the eagerness of councillors to get a brew, at least we know the catering facilities are spot on.

TKO was written this week by Dave Stanford

Updated: 10:27 Tuesday, July 15, 2003