COUNCILLOR Steve Galloway is quoted as saying the forthcoming council tax hike represents a no-cuts budget ('Council tax rise is 9.33 per cent in York', February 9). But how can he cut something which scarcely exists?

Council services were drastically reduced under Labour until they barely existed. Now the Liberal Democrats are continuing the massacre.

These people must live in a world of virtual reality where everything is viewed through rose-coloured spectacles because they make promises they have no hope of keeping.

I keep expecting to see vehicles bearing the logo Bodgett and Bodgett on the streets of York.

Last year three council officials visited our street and one said: "Nobody ever does anything down here" to which I retorted 'that includes the council'".

The street is never cleaned or repaired and drains are never cleaned. The road has been gritted once in 20 years and they call that public service.

As for the increased policing bill, it beggars belief that the chief constable has plans to promise no additional officers.

Maybe Councillor Galloway and the chief constable could give people a breakdown of what we receive for our money.

D Goldsmith,

Edgeware Road, York.

...Councillor Keith Orrell claims the council is working hard to ensure a full range of alternative sporting space will be provided to compensate those lost at the Barbican Centre (Battle to save Barbican sport, February 16).

Is he a member of the City of York Council which refused planning permission for The Civil Service complex because it would spoil a view of York Minster - a view no one realised existed? And is this the same council that has put the future of The York Railway Institute complex in Queen Street in doubt by including it into the teardrop development scheme?

I hope more thought goes into providing alternative sporting facilities when the teardrop scheme reaches the planning stage.

AP Cox,

Heath Close,

Holgate, York.

Updated: 10:51 Thursday, February 19, 2004