WE have all seen adverts which promise "£100 cashback" when you sign up for contracts such as mobile phones etc - and usually there's the ubiquitous asterisk above the headline, referring you to acres of terms and conditions at the bottom of the advert.

In some of his party's election literature, Steve Galloway's Liberal Democrats promised "Cashback - £100 Off Council Tax" if they got in. Well, they have taken control, and... yes, you've guessed it - you know what's going to happen now.

The average Band D property council tax could increase from £980.61 to £1098.28 ('York council tax may increase by 12 per cent', November 20).

Could Mr Galloway help me? What do I say to those who believed him and thought their Band D council tax would be £880.61 - including their "£100 cashback" - but could be up to nearly £220 more than they implied?

Mr Galloway is a senior York councillor and knows the rules and the system. Why didn't he have the guts to put an asterisk next to his "£100 cashback" offer, and say "Subject to a central government settlement we like" in the small print? He didn't, so York voters have been misled. And it's no use stating how unfair the council tax system is after they are elected - he knew the system when he made the promise!

Coun Paul Blanchard,

Heworth Mews, York.

Updated: 10:59 Thursday, December 11, 2003