THERE is little wonder the City of York Council finances are in such a mess if one is to believe any of the nonsense spoken by council leader Steve Galloway (Council tax headache explained, October 20).

The fact that the council receives the fourth lowest level of government grant per head of population out of the 46 other similar unitary councils is worrying to say the least. It would not have anything to do with the competence of the individuals completing the grant applications by any chance?

It is reassuring to note the council always sets a balanced budget. However, if this is to be met, decisions have to be made on commercial footings.

For example, car parking revenue is down four per cent on budget. Coun Galloway blames this mainly on people transferring to Park & Ride. It does not take an economist to work out if you increase car parking charges to ridiculous levels then people will not use the pay-and-display car parks.

Coun Galloway states that all income the council collects from business rates is passed straight to the Government. This would explain why the council is not bothered about the effect its car parking charges are having on the many businesses in the centre of York - they derive no financial benefit in the form of business rates tax.

That its services are rated good by the Audit Commission is amusing to say the least. I wonder how they would rate the refuse collection service?

Coun Galloway states that residents can help reduce our costs, for example citizens can fully engage in recycling. What a splendid idea. But correct me if I am wrong, there is no kerbside collection of cardboard or plastic.

Mr C C Pickering,

Rowntree Wharf, York.

Updated: 09:46 Tuesday, November 01, 2005