IT WOULD seem that in his haste to score political points, Coun James Alexander has, once again, failed to comprehend important financial information.

In his letter to The Press of December 16, Coun Alexander claims the cut to York’s grant is higher than the maximum claimed by the Government. Yet that is clearly not the case. If you choose to use the same calculation that brought the Government to claim a national maximum reduction in spending power of 8.9 per cent, York’s figure would be 3.31 per cent. I would hope Coun Alexander doesn’t need me to tell him that 3.31 per cent is lower than 8.9 per cent, not higher.

In contrast with Labour’s approach of decrying the cuts but offering no positive contributions to the debate on how to deal with them, Liberal Democrat councillors are lobbying Government ministers to ensure York is given a fair deal. The Press reported on Tuesday that, thanks to lobbying from council leader Andrew Waller, York received more than £2m more in its grant than the Government had originally allocated.

Coun Nigel Ayre, Liberal Democrat executive member for leisure, culture and social inclusion, City of York Council.