I agree with Geoff Rob (Letters, September 23) that it would have been better to appoint a new council chief executive with real business experience instead of another individual off the public sector merry-go-round.

But I disagree with his view that the first public utterances from Mary Weastell (I will deliver. Watch this space, September 21) have been encouraging. Far from it. Her reference to a lack of openness and transparency being “perceived” is alarming given the repeated breaches of Statutory Instrument 2089 and the many rulings against York council.

Moreover, her suggestion that “opinionated” citizens should simply ask for information instead of lodging Freedom of Information requests is ridiculous.

We have all tried that before and got nowhere. Even elected councillors have been denied information which should be freely available.

With this sort of attitude I have no confidence that the obsessive secrecy at York council is finally going to be eradicated any time soon.

Matthew Laverack, Architect of this parish, Lord Mayors Walk, York

I wish our Chief Executive, Mary Weastell, good luck. We need her to succeed.

It was with concern then that I read her “launch piece” in your paper (I will deliver. Watch this space, September 21). Her reported approach to freedom of information was especially shocking.

I am sorry she feels we pesky ratepayers are wasting her officials’ time “inundating” them with Freedom of Information requests (FOIs).

Perhaps chief officers haven’t had the inclination to tell her about the extent of their coverups, obfuscation and the way they treat councillors and, of course, us.

Mary doesn’t have to take citizens’ word for it. Local Government Association (LGA) peers, the Ombudsman, the Information Commissioner (ICO), internal and external auditors and local media have all had cause to raise concerns about transparency.

So Ms Weastell there is no “perception” of lack of transparency, the reality is there for all to see.

Gwen Swinburn, Park Grove, York