THE list of council services in York that will be hit as a result of the latest budget cuts makes for depressing reading.

Some vulnerable people will lose out on day care; the libraries budget will be slashed by £50,000; and a centre for adults with autism at Burton Stone Lane will lose the services of charity Mencap as a result of a £64,000 revenue cut – although there will be £174,000 of one-off capital investment in the centre.

There are fresh concerns about the future of the Castlegate Centre for young people as a result of £160,000 being trimmed from the budget for Children's Services, and York Museums' Trust will see its grant cut by £500,000. Not even 'lollipop ladies'; are safe. In an attempt to save £13,000, vacancies for school crossing patrols will not be filled.

Today, in a response to the budget proposals, Chris Steward, leader of the opposition Conservative group on the council, calls for the authority to focus on 'vital services rather than vanity projects'.

There is something in what he says. Certainly, the authority has a duty to make sure every penny is spent wisely. Where new technology can be used, for example, to enable 'back room' finance and admin roles to be shared with neighbouring councils, there is a good argument for doing that. And certainly there is no room in future for farcical mistakes such as that made over Lendal Bridge.

But the authority should not pull in its horns too much. Yes, essential frontline services must be a priority. But the council also has a vital role to play in encouraging inward investment and job creation. The future wellbeing and prosperity of many people in the city depends upon this.

York would suffer badly if there was no one to lead the effort to attract jobs and businesses. And if the council doesn't do this, who will?