THERE has been some comment in the media about the future of services for those with disabilities who currently attend sessions at the Yearsley Bridge Centre.

May I make a few things clear?

The services for these people are not going to "close".

The truth is that the council is planning to invest to improve the services for the clients who attend Yearsley Bridge. Leaving this ageing building as it is would be a disservice to those people, as it no longer fit for its purpose.

Our medium-term plans are to replace this building with a range of modern facilities, which will provide 21st century standards of care.

The earliest this could happen would be 2008. Hence widespread consultation with users has not yet started but will, indeed, commence in December.

All users have received letters advising them that services are to be reviewed.

The present Liberal Democrat-run council has invested heavily in modernising the buildings that we use for social services.

All our elderly persons' homes have been modernised, the new Pinetrees facility, which replaced the equivalent of Yearsley on the west of the city, has been widely praised by users and staff, and the brand-new extra care facilities at Morrell House (and soon Windsor House) will provide first-class accommodation for older people with dementia.

Our most vulnerable residents deserve to be catered for in modern, purpose-designed facilities. That is what we are delivering.

Steve Galloway, Leader, City of York Council, Guildhall, York.