AS THE cabinet member with responsibility for electoral services, I write in reply to Coun Warters’ letter of April 23 stating that there are no councils that have “a system of yearly council elections whereby a quarter of the council is up for election every year”.

In some of the former metropolitan councils, there are elections by thirds, then one year without, but these are super-sized wards which all have three members.

I would also point out that the Boundary Commission has recently rejected the idea of election by thirds for York and is moving, along with councils across the country, to four-yearly elections, as the thirds method is seen an expensive process to administer.

Finally, on the Local Plan, I do need to remind Coun Warters that the council is following Government guidelines and policy for economic growth and housing need that dictate the allocation of land.

If we do not allocate, the Government will impose without any consultation – no council is allowed to stand still, as he seems often to suggest.

If the council does not have a plan soon, the first since 1956, then developers will be able to with Government permission, build wherever they want.

Does he really want that?

Cllr Tracey Simpson-Laing, Deputy leader, City of York Council.