I AM sorry to have to tell Mr Burton that it is Hugh Bayley who is deliberately twisting the facts not the Liberal Democrats (Council Tax Poser, April 22).

In a discussion about capping the City of York Council's budget, one would expect him to compare the council tax levied by the City of York Council with other councils such as Wakefield, Doncaster, Leeds and Bradford.

One would not expect him to include the charges raised by the respective police authority and the fire and rescue authority to support his argument and yet that is exactly what he has done.

While the North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority has a near-average Band D charge of £54.94, the North Yorkshire Police Authority charge is the highest of any police authority in the country bar none at £180.00 (Band D). This figure compares directly with the police authorities of Durham (£100.80), West Yorkshire (£112.40), South Yorkshire (£113.27) and Humberside (£142.47), yet the Government has not suggested capping the North Yorkshire Police Authority, although it has the necessary powers. Councils have no control over the local police or fire and rescue authorities, so why should Hugh Bayley add the various charges together unless he wants to mislead?

When a fair comparison is made, council with council, then York at £940 (Band D rounded to the nearest £) is definitely cheaper than Wakefield (£953), Doncaster (£955), Leeds (£972) or Bradford (£988).

It is the 11th cheapest council tax in the country and the cheapest outside the south-east of England.

Coun Q.J.A. Macdonald,

Executive Member for Resources,

City of York Council,

Church Lane,

Nether Poppleton, York.

Updated: 09:51 Thursday, April 27, 2006