I REFER to the comments made by the parliamentary spokesman for the Vale of York Liberal Democrats (February 7). Conservative-controlled North Yorkshire County Council has one of the lowest council tax precepts of any of the shire counties (31st out of 34) and has a considerably lower council tax than its bordering authorities.

It is interesting to note that throughout the extensive budget consultation process, no Labour or Liberal Democrat Councillors have proposed a lower council tax, or identified any potential savings. They have, however, suggested that the council tax should be raised.

Once again, North Yorkshire has received insufficient funding from the Labour Government. In fact, it has 'taken away' £1.9m from the county, giving it to London and the south east as part of the Area Cost Adjustment; £1.6m of this was lost from the education budget.

North Yorkshire County Council may be forced to raise council tax by seven per cent for 2001/2002, an increase that is thought to be average for authorities in the forthcoming year. However, one thing is certain: only Conservative control prevented the increase being much greater.

Coun David Ashton,

Leader,

North Yorkshire County Council,

County Hall, Northallerton.

Updated: 10:46 Saturday, February 17, 2001