I SHOULD like to offer my unreserved apology, on behalf of the environmental services department of City of York Council, for the approach for payment to remove a charity recycling skip for the Festival Of Remembrance on November 2.

We appreciate that the money raised at the event is sent to the Poppy Appeal, and that a great deal of volunteer support goes into the occasion to keep down costs.

It is regrettable that, given the annual nature of the event, there were not satisfactory arrangements in place to respond to the requests by the police to remove the skips from the Barbican car park, and for this, as executive member, I must ultimately take responsibility.

The inquiry was, as described in your editorial (November 5), a mistake, albeit made innocently, and the cost has been covered by the department.

However, there was no intention to "diminish the respect being shown to the season of remembrance".

I shall ensure a full review of the removal or sealing of street equipment across the city, so that, in this time of increasing security concerns, the council is fully prepared for future events.

Coun Andrew Waller,

Executive member, environment and sustainability,

Askham Lane,

Acomb,

York.

Updated: 10:33 Friday, November 07, 2003