I SEE that my council tax is to rise by about four times the rate of inflation because of excess expenditure over income. Would that my pension could rise by that amount.

Up to about 30 years ago there was usually a small surplus in the coffers at the year end. Up to about 50 years ago the only people who could afford to be councillors were businessmen who could take time off from running their business.

Running a city is like running a business. Then a government said that anyone who wished to be a councillor should receive expenses. So we have any Tom, Dick or Harriet with no business experience, but allegiance to a political party.

Last year our elected councillors decided they should be paid and promptly awarded themselves salaries which many would be happy to receive for doing a 40 hour a week job.

I was once accused of being a cynic.

Who am I to argue?

A G Reeson,

Huntington Road, York.

Updated: 10:33 Monday, February 25, 2002