I see City of York Council is looking for ideas on how to make savings.

My first thought was to visit the council website, but after a while I decided life was just too short.

My suggestion will not be popular (especially with civil servants) and I take no pleasure from suggesting it. To me it seems obvious, but it will open a right can of worms.

For some time now the vast majority of employers have had to suspend the final salary schemes for their employees, to the extent where it is virtually only civil servants who still have this now, privileged pension scheme.

Just how much would the council save, not just this year but in the years to come, if this was addressed now.

I think it unfortunate but necessary that civil servants come into the real world, like the rest of us.

This will also have to be taken up by central Government for other parts of the civil service, but the Government's catch phrase at the moment seems to be affordability. Our pathfinder council could start the ball rolling. Just how much is this costing us?

David Hudson, Foxwood, York.


* I WONDER at the effrontery of the council in abdicating its duty to govern the affairs of the city by asking the electorate to make decisions for them.

Whatever decision is taken they will be in the happy position to answer complaints with the rejoinder: "Well, this is what you chose."

I also wonder how much of our money has been wasted on this exercise.

J Jewitt, The Paddock, York.


* WITH reference to the questionnaire concerning budget cuts I read with dismay that one of the suggested budget cuts was the closure of the Sycamore House drop-in centre for people suffering from mental illness.

Since I have spent my working life in the field of mental illness and was a volunteer for Saneline for several years I am acutely aware of the need for such a centre.

For many people it is a lifeline and an essential part of "care in the community".

The deadline for return of this rather complicated questionaire looms.

We need to be supporting our most vulnerable citizens and choosing not to close this service.

Angela Burlinson, St Andrews Court, York.


A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "Reducing the services offered by Sycamore House is just one of a number of saving options that are being considered by residents and councillors as part of City of York Council's budget process. No decisions have been made as yet."