While I am well aware of Councillor Dave Merrett's admirable and very real efforts to consult York residents on local matters, the tone of his letter (October 5) gives the impression that councillors have little regard for public opinion when it does not suit them.

As one of the many objectors to the St Helen's Square statue, I would like to think our efforts were not entirely irrelevant to the decision of the planning committee. May I ask: If there had been 72 letters in favour of the application and two against, could that have made any difference to the final result?

I understand that we were not part of a "methodologically and statistically sound survey" such as that which found a two-to-one majority of York residents in favour of the Northern Gateway, but I would like to know if it is worth expressing an opinion on local issues otherwise than in response to questions set by the council.

Charles Hunt,

Wilton Rise, York.

...So Councillor Dave Merrett says "City of York Council cannot and does not determine planning applications solely on the basis of public opinion." As a resident of Rawcliffe Parish, don't I just know it?

On a more positive note though, I'm glad that the council has finally got around to letting us have 'wheelie'-bins. The present method of refuse collection is disgusting and I won't be sorry to see it replaced.

Richard Greaves,

Morehall Close, York.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.