I WRITE in response to your report: 'Should councillors be forced to pay £18,000 planning bill?" (October 25).

City architect Matthew Laverack thinks they should and I agree with him.

Coun Derek Smallwood doesn't think so but he would wouldn't he? I wonder how much he has cost the council?

I was awarded several thousand pounds costs recently against the council because of an irresponsible decision by the planning committee.

Mr and Mrs Plaskitt of Plaskitt and Plaskitt will probably be next to be awarded costs because of a decision to turn down their superb conservatory in Monkgate.

Citizens of York have to pay for these awards in increased council tax.

So let York's council tax-payers decide in a free vote in the Evening Press whether we should name and shame planning councillors for their irresponsible actions. I think it would be a big 'yes' vote.

J R Jones,

Sand Hutton Manor,

Sand Hutton,

York.

...I READ with dismay, the waste of £18,000 by York councillors on the Poppleton roof-height project (October 27). What were the true costs - £40,000?

What costs do we add for the council's own planning and legal department's involvement? Nobody works for "nowt" on the council staff.

My grandson has a counting frame they could borrow to help balance the books on the massive over-spend in other departments.

P R A Sawdon,

Abelton Grove,

Haxby, York.