WITH reference to “Criticism over £14k job for councillor” (The Press, May 26), the nominee being Coun Sandy Fraser.

As a criminologist I have to confess to raising an eyebrow in relation to this decision and appointment.

I think it only fair that I should make clear my own qualifications and experience. I have two high academic qualifications and have written half a dozen books relating to aspects of this topic.

On the practical side, I was in the Bradford Probation Service for a decade, in the Scottish Office in an advisory post, and then a senior lecturer in what is now Strathclyde University.

Firstly, it would be helpful if Coun Fraser would lay out the bones of his programme for dealing with York’s crime problems.

Secondly, it would be helpful if he lay out his professional qualifications and experience.

Thirdly, in the election did he fight on a “control crime” type programme, or are his constituents, like the rest of us, in the dark as what we may expect?

Strathclyde council caters for about half of Scotland’s population. The challenge of managing this monstrosity found the chair, vice-chair and the writer engaged in periodic lunches to review problems and strategies.

This working model had much to commend it. It cost the going rate of three lunches in either our staff dining room or in that of the councillors. Peanuts! In York it could be done, it should be done.

George Moore, Plantation Way, Wigginton, York.