DETAILS of Labour’s planned changes to the budget inherited from York’s previous Liberal Democrat administration are only slowly emerging into the public domain.

Many residents will be surprised to find that they have jettisoned several of the commitments that they made in the run up to the election.

They have abandoned their proposal to reduce staff mileage rates, to bring them into line with the Inland Revenue recommended level, at a cost to taxpayers of £72,000.

In addition they will spend £38,000 to allow trades unions to employ additional negotiators.

They’ll pay for the changes by abandoning their election commitments to subsidised evening bus services, to improve Yearsley swimming pool and invest in facilities for teenagers.

At a time when we seem to be seeing a decline in street-level service standards with graffiti, in particular, on the increase, I do wonder how Labour voters view this U-turn in priorities.

With Labour having spent more than £20,000 on fighting its local election campaign, some may view these changes as the first payback to their union backers.

Richard Hill, Scarborough Terrace, York.

• DO THE citizens of York really need to know about the personal financial problems of council leader James Alexander?

The naïve people who put him in power may now be wondering, if he cannot handle his own affairs correctly how on earth could he manage the affairs of a great city such as York?

At the end of this Labour council’s stint, will York’s monetary coffers be as empty as those of its by then outgoing party leader?

Bob Waite, Holgate, York.

• NOW that Coun James Alexander has divulged his own personal financial circumstances to all and sundry (The Press, June 23), it suggests York has a sham councillor leading a sham party.

In a great city that deserves better, anyone who has to tap his employer for wages up front perhaps isn’t worthy of caretaking the council finances of York.

Ken Holmes, Cliffe Common, Selby.