I AM writing to clarify misunderstandings in the letters from Alan J Parkin and T McLaughlin.

Council members do not receive "company director" salaries and "£400 per week expenses". The ordinary members receive about £100 per week.

A few members with special responsibilities receive enhancements on top of this, usually of around £200-£300 per week. The list of all members' remuneration is published every year and is available on request from the council.

The council does not pay the costs for the member who has moved to Spain to attend council meetings.

City of York Council tax is due to rise by 5.97 per cent on April 1. The overall rise is just over 13 per cent but this is due to the increases from the police and the parish councils, which are not part of the City of York Council.

The council has been exploring all areas to keep its council tax down and be more efficient. York's council tax is the lowest in North Yorkshire and one of the lowest in England, hence Mr Parkin would be paying more if he moved almost anywhere else.

The council is aware of the effect of these increases on those on fixed and limited incomes through its residents' opinion surveys and Talkabout questionnaires. The council identified over £3 million of savings this year in order to limit the council tax rise.

Simon Wiles,

Director of resources,

City of York Council,

Library Square, York.

Updated: 10:14 Monday, March 10, 2003