IF you thought council ward committees were about as exciting as dental floss, think again.

Tomorrow night's gathering in Osbaldwick should be re-named the war committee.

It will be chaired by Jonathan Morley. He's the Liberal Democrat councillor who enraged hundreds of his constituents by failing to denounce Derwenthorpe, the 540-house estate which would destroy many acres of wildflower meadow.

He didn't even consider the massive development merited a public inquiry, although the Government thought otherwise. The inquiry will take place later this year.

Osbaldwick Parish Council was so infuriated by Coun Morley's lack of support that it passed a motion of no confidence in him. Members of the council are likely to be at tomorrow's meeting in the primary school.

No doubt many of those attending will be keen to take up item four on the agenda: "Have your say. Raise any issues that concern you with your ward councillors and neighbours."

For example, villagers might want to raise the November 2005 Lib Dem propaganda news-sheet Osbaldwick Focus.

In this, Coun Morley insists he is "continuing to raise concerns about the proposed 'Derwenthorpe' development" and boasts that the council "is leading by example on environmental issues". Take your tin hat. The fireworks start at 7.30pm.

YORK-born football manager Steve McLaren should abandon any ambitions to take over from Sven as England boss after the World Cup.

He's not even wanted by his own club, Middlesbrough.

"Up for sale is a magnificent example of a replica football manager," reads an advert on internet auction site eBay, next to a picture of McLaren. "Be amazed at his complete lack of tactical nous - despite his experience as England coach and Champions League-winning coach with Manchester United.

"Be stupified at the real life quality of his football manager rent-a-quotes. Speaks three life-like phrases, 'Magnificent', 'Tremendous' and 'The lads showed great character'.

"Buy him now for 1p or will swap for a Tony Mowbray."

WE are delighted to learn that Dame Judi Dench is back to her winning ways.

After the Golden Globe folk unforgivably failed to give her a gong, the York-born empress of acting can take comfort to learn she is Britain's most trustworthy woman.

This accolade comes courtesy of subscribers to Reader's Digest magazine. She came seventh in the poll of most trusted Britons, and was the highest-placed woman on the list (Sir David Attenborough came top). Dame Dench was three notches higher than Esther Rantzen and fully six places higher than the Queen.

WITH all the belt-tightening at the Guildhall, a concerned York taxpayer is in touch.

"The City of York LEA has produced and sent out a glossy ringbinder guide plus DVD insert about its extended schools to all relevant recipients within its world of education," our source writes.

"In common with virtually all City of York publications, a tiny line of print at the back indicates how much the item cost.

"It reads: 'This document cost 0.05p per York resident to design and print a total of £9,025.

"But the sums don't add up. If it cost 0.05p for each of us, that makes the population of York just over 18 million...

"Unless someone being economical with the '£' sign in 0.05p - and it really costs an embarrassing 100 times as much as they'd like us to think? What ever happened to numeracy? We should be told!"

Updated: 10:31 Tuesday, January 31, 2006