As A long-standing member of York Natural Environment Trust (YNET), I was interested to read the letter sent by Barry Potter on behalf of YNET (Evening Press, May 12) and Councillor Brumby's reply (May 24).

I was struck by the consistent problems we face as individuals and voluntary workers in communicating with the City of York Council.

Barry had written a letter venting his and YNET's frustration at spending a great deal of time communicating with the council on YNET's behalf and receiving what were felt to be unsatisfactory or no replies.

Councillor Brumby's reply does not explain why letters are not answered.

It refers us to the draft Local Plan, a document which we have communicated about and even originally suggested that a number of the schemes in question should have been held over until the end of the consultation process, since they pre-empted it.

So we are interested in seeing that the document addresses our environmental concerns.YNET is a charity established to preserve and enhance the city's green spaces and the wildlife value of them.

We have no political axe to grind, we are only trying to ensure that our concerns are debated and questions answered.

Mr Potter's opinion, as chair of YNET, is constrained.

He has to answer to YNET's membership, where there is no overall political control and matters of concern are agreed by consensus.

Since the council states it is keen to encourage greater input from the voluntary sector, they would do well to remember that many of us carry out these functions by taking unpaid leave from work, using our spare time and, for the most part, the secretarial resources are provided by ourselves.

This is why prompt and accurate replies are requested, our time is valuable.

Mick Phythian,

Monkton Road,

York.

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