IN the October Osbaldwick Parish Council's Newsletter headed Derwenthorpe Public Inquiry, residents are informed that "a provisional budget for the inquiry has been allocated, and we are currently engaging appropriate professional advisers".

However, what is not disclosed is exactly how much money could be utilised for this purpose.

The clerk informed the October meeting that there is £15,094 in the council's funds after allowing for normal outgoings; £5,000 of which is reserved for emergencies.

The chairman suggested that £5,000 be set aside for advisers, but Councillor Hughes proposed that the full £10,094 be allocated, and this recommendation was passed. This amount is equal to the annual precept paid by Osbaldwick residents over and above their council tax.

Osbaldwick Parish Council advocate consultation, democracy and openness.

Therefore, would it not have been democratic, just and fair to have consulted the people of Osbaldwick before allocating two-thirds of the monies held to this cause, and possibly imposing an increase on a future precept should the £10,000 prove insufficient?

Is it reasonable that we be expected to finance specialists to contest a development which will equally affect others who do not pay a precept?

In view of the above I doubt whether every resident would be agreeable to this indiscriminate use of their taxes.

F W Wilson,

Osbaldwick Village,

York.

Updated: 10:32 Tuesday, November 15, 2005