IS THE new Lord Mayor-to-be totally insensitive to the feelings of the citizens of York and surrounding areas (The Press, May 18)?

He and the others involved in his inauguration seem not to care that there have to be huge savings made to the budget, massive cuts to services, and they think it’s all right to spend £5,000 on some outdated pomp and ceremony for someone to take on a job which lasts only 12 months.

We cannot afford to waste money on such junketing.

Surely it would have the same effect if there were tea and biscuits in the Mansion House for the relevant councillors and dignitaries.

A nice bunch of flowers on a table should cover the floral needs, but what are acoustic costs? No matter which pot we are told the money comes from doesn’t alter the fact it is still money obtained from us, the taxpayers – and more respect as to its origin, and care of its spending should be taken instead of wasting it on a totally unnecessary performance.

Janet S Kitchen-Cooper, Ashley Park Road, York.