City of York Council congratulated itself for 'finding' £1.5 million so it could keep the council tax increase for this year to 6.8 per cent. What they did not tell us is that the charge to the North Yorkshire Police Authority has gone up by more than 41 per cent and my parish charge by more than 27 per cent.

The total increase, therefore, is more than ten per cent. As a pensioner this has wiped out a large part of the increase in the state pension.

It may be coincidental but, since this Labour Government came to power, York Council taxes have risen by more than 50 per cent.

The Government and local councils blame each other for constant above-inflation increases. On recent evidence, this Government is often a stranger to the truth, so perhaps one could hear York council's side of the story.

There was one year recently when the council tax was held at about 2.5 per cent. It was council election year.

N Ashcroft,

Sandyland,

Haxby,

York.

...WE have just had another inflation-busting increase to our council tax.

How can they get away with putting up charges year after year and now 41 per cent for the Police Authority.

Talk about rip-off. No doubt the council will try it on again next year.

A Franks,

Almsford Drive,

Acomb,

York.

...I HAVE just received a demand notice for my council tax for 2002/2003. At £770.45 it is a substantial amount and I have written to City of York Council to make a request.

In 2000, St. Peter's School's made a bid to buy the site of Queen Anne's School.

One of the reasons their lower bid was accepted was that they were able to pay immediately.

This turned out not to be the case and the council decided that, because St Peter's School was having problems with cash flow, it could pay a small deposit immediately and pay the balance after one year with no interest charged.

I was impressed by the council's generosity to a private school and now I wish to make a similar request.

I too have a problem with cash flow and wish to pay a small deposit next month (my April direct debit instalment) and then pay the balance in January 2003.

As St. Peter's were not asked for interest on more than £4.5 million, I trust the council will not require interest on my paltry sum.

Mrs. S. Prophet,

Grove View,

Clifton,

York.

Updated: 10:35 Friday, March 22, 2002