Chris Titley comments that "the laymen and women who are fighting these massive developments" (namely Germany Beck and Derwenthorpe) "are represented by themselves" (Evening Press, March 21), but this is incorrect.
At the pre-inquiry meeting, Fulford stated they could not afford a barrister - Osbaldwick Parish Council has employed both a solicitor and barrister to represent them.
However, what Osbaldwick PC has omitted to tell its residents is that this is being financed by a gigantic rise in the precept - 102 per cent in addition to the £10,000 (all of last year's precept) set aside for the same purpose.
When this omission was highlighted by a parish councillor when discussing the contents of the March newsletter, he was told it was not necessary to provide these details, and the vice-chairman commented that residents could obtain this information from the recently issued City of York Council council tax demand.
So much for the "openness" called for in the PC's code of conduct.
Incidentally if you are thinking of going to the PC meeting to discover more about the financial implications of Derwenthorpe, don't bother, because all members of the public are excluded from the meeting when the public inquiry is discussed.
F W Wilson,
The Village,
Osbaldwick,
York.
Updated: 09:46 Monday, March 27, 2006
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