You reported council leader Rod Hills saying that he hoped the people of York would understand why tough decisions had to be taken (February 23).

With a shortfall of £4.7 million, tough decisions obviously had to be taken. However, what was not clear was when did the level of shortfall become known and whether this was due to increases in expenditure or shortfalls in revenue.

As it was, very little time was left for an informed discussion with a proper evaluation of the available options. As wage increases for public sector workers are, and have always been, low, coupled with no noticeable increase in services or facilities, these budget shortfalls must in fact leave the majority of York residents perplexed to say the least.

Have the costs associated with the introduction of wheelie bins, the park-and-ride scheme at Rawcliffe Bar plus council publicity had something to do with the shortfall?

Richard Lamb,

Greystoke Road,

Rawcliffe, York.

...Cocooned in the warmth of an unhealthy majority, Coun Hills reminds me of a conjurer pulling an endless stream of paper streamers out of his mouth - nothing is really being said.

He has honed his political skills into an art form. Turning every criticism with a plausible excuse into faint praise, he accepts plaudits from the auditors and the Social Services Inspectorate. Our council taxes us less than neighbouring councils and manages its money and services far better than we give it credit for.

York citizens should stop their whinging. There are no problems. No financial worries. The critics have got it wrong, we should shut up and get on with our lives.

I'm sure Coun Hills would walk on water if he tried.

Kenneth W Scaife,

Ferguson Way,

New Lane,

Huntington, York.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.