Huge council tax bills are not on

Craven District Council are voting on a possible seven per cent rise, or over twice inflation, North Yorkshire County Council seeks 11.5 per cent or around four times inflation, and North Yorkshire Police Authority will seek an increase of over 76 per cent. That is not a misprint.

After last year's increase of 41 per cent, the police have decided that 76 per cent is reasonable for this year, a rise of around 38 times inflation! The figures do not, to me, make any sense.

What, exactly are we getting for our increased council taxes?

And why do North Yorkshire persistently need vastly more than say Bradford in its police precept? Is crime increasing tremendously in North Yorkshire compared with other ridings?

Or are we in North Yorkshire paying for other things?

Under pain of law we will not be allowed to refuse payment of our council tax, or of the police precept, but I think it only reasonable that those taking our money give us proper reasons for these once again massive increases.

Are we going to see more police on the beat for example, or are we merely funding more pensions?

What percentage, for example, of North Yorkshire police take early retirement? What is the illness percentage? And how do these compare with other ridings of Yorkshire?

If there are any others as incensed as I am about these shortly to be implemented massive rises in our tax, perhaps they might like to contact me. I propose to investigate where our taxes are going, why there is a need for these colossal increases, and what, if anything, we can do to restrain next year's rises down to the sort of increase that Britain's pensioners might receive.

Any help in this matter will be gratefully received. My e-mail is Alan@Laughing-gravy.co.uk

Alan Perrow,

Bannister Walk, Cowling.

SIR - I feel compelled to write as I am absolutely disgusted about the rise in council tax.

I understand that a proportion of the money will be used to fund the police force.

In my opinion if the current force did as was required of them extra funding would be kept to a minimum, therefore reducing our costs.

I say this as I have just witnessed a police car pull over to the side of Keighley Road, along with another car, with the occupants getting out to have a chat.

I then proceeded along Sackville Street where approximately six cars passed me and at least four were speeding.

I resent being forced to pay extra when this "behaviour" is going unnoticed. I am normally a supporter of the police force in our area, but if things carry on as they are we are going to end up paying over the odds for a slip shod service.

Andrea Settle

Rowland Street, Skipton.

SIR - In your 50 years ago section on January 31 you commented that Settle certainly knew how to push the boat out - we still do!

This year we are planning a totally ewe-nique event when we ewe-nite our flag festival and sheep shambles. There's no bleating about the bush and we certainly aren't sheepish about our achievements! What we have planned is tonic for flagging spirits everywhere and we simply had to grab penn-ant paper and write to ewe about this ewe-nion.

During the weekend of May 17-18 we'll be hosting all manner of sheepish goings on with lots of ram-bunctious behaviour and ram-pant good humour.

Age and gender is no baaa-rrier, there'll be lots of fun for all regardless of whether you are a family or baa-chelor boy (or girl!) - we're quite ewe-ni-sex!

We'll have singing and dancing in the market place as ewe-sual (ewe could even do the lamb-baa-da or a spot of baa-llet!). We're offering a-sy-lamb for families searching for ewe-phoric ways to fill the weekend without getting into a flap about it.

We're hoping to have acclaimed ewe-nicyclists. Our s-ewe-per pavilion will be in ewe-se and there'll be banners everywhere with special Cecil flags hung 'tup around the square.

So don't look baa-ck if you're from Baa-rnoldswick, Llambdudno, Ramsbottom or even Cubaa (or anywhere else in the ewe-niverse) we'd love to see ewe there. Settle really does know how to fly the flag and party!

The flagmakers committee,

(Jeanne Carr, Margaret Holgate, Sue Martin, Gill O'Donnell and all the rest of the flock),

Settle.

SIR - I should like to say a public "thank you" to Donald Cooper for all the work he does helping people to get their lives together again after UFO sightings and being "chased" by brilliant lights etc.

They are bizarre experiences which make you question your sense of reality. The people who have experienced this will know what I mean. Donald has devoted lots of time in research. He has sent me books and what official information he had. I owe him my sanity.

The BBC were to do an Inside Out programme on 'Strange Lights in the Aire Valley' and they filmed Donald for half an hour. Probably because he would not divulge names etc the programme was changed, he was reduced to a slot of about 10 seconds. He must have been bitterly disappointed but it proves that people can trust in his absolute discretion, these include doctors, nurses, farmers, teacher, housewives etc. I'm sure they all thank you Donald.

Beryl Southwell

Briggate, Silsden.

SIR - Last year, thanks to the generosity of local families, 14 children from Belarus enjoyed a recuperative holiday in our area.

Fresh air and good food helps to boost the immune systems of those affected by the Chernobyl disaster, the results of which do not go away.

We would like to provide holidays again this year but need host families happy to take two children for two weeks during the summer.

If you feel you would like to do so please contact me, the local organiser, on 01756 710459.

Anne Hodgson,

Meadowcroft House,

Draughton.

SIR - With reference to your snapshot of bygone years in the Craven Herald (February 7). I was one of the group on the trip to Dagenham Ford Works. As this was my first trip to London, I remember it well.

I worked all day Thursday, went by coach overnight, had breakfast in London at 6am and visited the Ford works in the morning.

In the afternoon we viewed the East End's (as the guide put it) the German exterior decoration.

A visit to the cinema for a film of the Korean War, then returned to Skipton overnight arriving home Saturday am, worn out.

John Hall,

Gargrave.

SIR - I see from today's Craven Herald that the police have come up with more schemes such as "Maps" and "Stand" which, considering the lack of police profile in the town, ie bobbies on the beat, seem to smack more of form than content.

The police have a 77 per cent increase in the next council tax bill and yet we seem to have less police around and a police station which isn't open 24 hours.

Can I suggest that the police start to "Grapple" (Give Robust Actual Police Presence Locating Evidence) with the problems instead of giving us a load of Constables Running Around Pointlessly?

Catherine Holland

Lower Croft Street, Settle.

SIR - If Mr Watkins of the Angel Inn was intending to offend cyclists (Craven Herald Letters February 14) he has achieved his objective.

Was his mockery of posters encouraging riding a bike meant to appeal to the narrow-minded prejudices of his more polluting punters? The ones (perhaps like himself) who wouldn't be seen dead on a bike or a bus? There seems to be an underlying message that sweaty pedallers should give his premises a wide berth.

One might wonder whether he peeps out of his front door when he says Hetton has no bus service. Apart from Sundays around 30 buses connect the village with Grassington and Skipton. Both places are within easy cycling distance of his restaurant. Is there not a business opportunity here?

Surely neither "green" arguments nor displaying such a poster would be so controversial?

Thank goodness for the more enlightened suggestions of Allan Gould and Gavin Martin regarding extra trains and subsidised fares while the main road through Gargrave is closed. Arriva trains might like to approach Richard Bowker of the Strategic Rail Authority for permission (comment from would-be passengers would be helpful too).

Elaine Brunswick,

Main Street, Cononley.

SIR - I would like, through your letters page, to thank everyone for their support during my suspension, dismissal and long wait for my appeal to be heard.

I would especially like to thank the residents of Gargrave who rallied round with personal testimonials and a petition which I am sure helped my case tremendously. A special thank you is also due to Bryan Lee, the local Communications Workers' Union representative, whose help and expertise were invaluable during my appeal.

Thanks also to the Craven Herald for raising the dismissal in its columns.

RI Dewhirst,

(Gargrave postman),

Elm View, Steeton.

SIR - It is gratifying to note that an unbiased party has also commented on the choice of Brahm to "promote" the Yorkshire Dales - from their Leeds offices (Craven Diary, February 14).

Here at Manifest Marketing Ltd in Kilnsey we thought it was just sour grapes on our part that we felt the same!

To add insult to injury, the survey Brahm sent to local businesses as a precursor to the branding workshops asked ludicrous questions, such as "If we were to change the logo, would you be more or less likely to use it on your literature?", without any indication of what it would be changed to, how on earth could anyone make any sensible comment?

No PR or marketing company worth its salt would allow a client to distribute material which was so counter-productive or that would land on doorsteps only days before the proposed event and yet requesting a response.

Despite these frustrations we attended the 'workshop' at the Hanover Hotel in Skipton and gave Brahm - and their conspicuously absent client - the benefit of our Dales marketing input for free for two hours.

At least if we can't get due recognition in terms of even being approached to tender, perhaps we can at least have a Brownie point from the Craven Herald for our efforts!

Jane Ellison-Bates.

Manifest Marketing Ltd.

PO Box 1 Kilnsey

SIR - The death knell may have been sounded for Dry Rigg Quarry near Settle and upwards of 28 men may lose their jobs needlessly in 2005.

If the vote goes against us and the National Park councillors vote to throw us and our families on to the scrap heap, be assured we will fight on.

However, this letter concerns the vocal Mr Fawcett whose comments decorated the article on the proposed closure in the Craven Herald.

I have a number of questions for him

1 Do you or do you not wish to see the local quarries closed? You stated some time ago in one of your missives to this page that you did not consider this one of your aims and merely wanted to see the wagon issue resolved. If you would like the quarries to remain why does an article explaining the closure issue have you as its leading spokesman deriding the efforts to solve the wagon noise problem?

2 Do you realise that if Dry Rigg is to close in 2005 Lafarge will try to extract one and a half million tonnes - the permitted reserves of granite in the two years remaining instead of being able to work until 2009? The plant and associated transport will be flat out for two years and then things will be exactly the same as they are now. The other quarries 'up the dale' will absorb the Dry Rigg production.

3 Have you got a big table? As if things go badly 28 poverty stricken, hungry quarrymen and their families (around 100 people) could be coming to your house for Sunday dinner. Better make that two tables then.

M Cardus,

Mill Close, Settle

SIR - I write to you about items recently in the Craven Herald.

1 - The firefighters' dispute - why cannot the government invoke emergency powers and offer the firefighters this solution: Whilst the servicemen are doing your job they cannot do theirs so until this dispute is settled, and with immediate effect, all servicemen acting as firefighters will be released from their role as servicemen and all firefighters will report to their nearest military depot for conscription into the army to replace the servicemen.

I guarantee this would solve the problem within 24 hours. Oh! That we had a government with some backbone.

2 - The letter from Mr and Mrs Reid of Giggleswick prompts me to bring to your notice that there are no such things as dirty dogs only dirty dog-owners.

The offenders who continue with their filthy habits more often than not do so under cover of the hours of darkness and as the hours of darkness decrease they may be easier to spot and report. Like vandals they do not advertise their presence. Yes, I have seen many dog owners do the right thing and clear up their dog's mess but they don't mind being seen, do they?

It might help to solve the problem if every successful prosecution resulted in the person reporting the offender being suitably rewarded, the reward money being included as part of the fine. Now that's justice. Shall we start with £100. I wish Coun Purcell in Barnoldswick more power to her elbow.

3 Scams: I received one by email recently (asking me to give details of my bank account to Nigeria in return for vast funds.) My first reaction was to send a one word reply then my sense of humour took over and I sent the attached reply: "The only free cheese is in a mousetrap!"

4 I wonder if Mr Sproston (Ban for ton-up driver) is intelligent enough to calculate how much time he might have saved on his 65 mile journey from Beamsley to Stockport? At best he would save about 25 minutes - at the risk of never getting home at all. Oh! And if one's lateness is genuine doctors can be very accommodating. The feeble excuses some people try to swing are funny. They're much like schoolboy howlers. (Oh! Am I allowed to write that? Should it be schoolperson? Whoops!)

5 - In the last three days I have seen several McDonald's cartons of various shapes discarded on the roadside between Skipton and Halton East. Although there is much litter to be found discharged from vehicles on this journey the McDonald's litter does make a bad case even worse

RA Hall,

Haw Park, Embsay.

SIR - Your editorial of February 7 rightly warns about the dangers of profligate urban politicians in the event of a Regional Assembly. But you seem to dismiss the whole idea of any reform at all.

I believe there are good reasons for devolving power from London to the provinces, for instance:

1 About 30 per cent of central Government expenditure is under control of the Government Regional Offices, the Regional Development Agencies and the many quangos. In addition these unelected bodies control distribution of money from the European Union. Surely these huge sums should be controlled by those who are locally elected and accountable direct to the people concerned?

2 Central Government is offering to delegate all health, education, housing, transport, environment and perhaps other functions to regional authorities. This is nothing new because most of these functions used to be carried out by local authorities anyway.

3 The off-loading of so much work to the provinces should mean the London-based civil service and MPs could be drastically reduced, with big savings in costs and some easing of congestion problems in the capital. The savings could offset the costs of establishing offices in the provinces.

4 From my experience, local government officers and councillors are much easier and quicker to deal with than the foot-dragging bureaucrats in Whitehall. They always use the excuse of lack of time for legislation and other long-winded processes, so devolution would allow them to clear the backlog and speed up Parliamentary business.

But why should we set up regional government and assemblies when we already have well-established county councils complete with buildings and organisations, which could be expanded to take over the additional functions?

We also have the long-established historic counties on which the county councils were formed in the 1880s but which successive governments since 1972 have tried to replace with 'designer-counties' like Humberside.

These unloved concoctions should be scrapped and the traditional counties restored as the basis of our local and regional government. For example the Yorkshire Ridings could cover all 'regional' functions and below would be the existing district, city and borough councils carrying out local functions.

Most of the smaller county councils still based on historical boundaries would be unaffected except that they may need to form joint arrangements with neighbouring small counties for such functions as transport, environment, etc.

Over many years our traditional counties - the places we identify with and belong to - have been demolished and in some cases, like Cumberland and Westmorland, have disappeared from the map altogether. The present official plans would strike the death knell. I believe we should value our heritage and adapt local and regional government to the county structure around which our history was built.

Geoff Hoyle,

Burnside Crescent, Skipton.

SIR - I thought your editorial of February 7 on regional government with which I totally agreed would trigger correspondence.

As the sounding exercise ends on March 3, I'm urging people who oppose regional parliaments to let John Prescott know their views before then.

The impression he gains from the soundings will determine in which areas the first referenda will be held, probably in 2004. Obviously the areas chosen will be those where the public seems most enthusiastic about regional government.

Of the eight regions, the North East and the North West seemed the most likely candidates for the "fast track". But now members of a movement called "Campaign for Yorkshire" are going to great lengths, including presentations to MPs and peers in order to persuade Mr Prescott to substitute Yorkshire and the Humber for the North West, where interest has waned a little.

The benefits of delaying a referendum are that electors may escape one altogether (under a changed Government) or, if faced with one, will be far better informed by seeing devolution in practice in other regions and be more inclined to vote.

The referendum has no minimum turnout threshold and the result will hinge on a simple majority so regional government could come about by the will of a minority because of the apathy of the majority.

Mr Prescott needs to be made sufficiently uncertain of the result to avoid an early referendum in our region.

To do this we need to register our opposition to his plan and our reasons. Mine - which are by no means exhaustive - are as follows:

1 The elected assembly will have between 25 and 35 members serving a population of just over five million (Scotland's Parliament has 129 members for a similar population). Craven's population is 52,300 so it will not rate its own representatives.

2 The assembly will have a cabinet of six, that will inevitably be urban dominated so rural issues will be well down the agenda.

3 An elected assembly will mean the loss of the county council, which is geared to administering a rural area.

Craven has seven county councillors, so located that they are accessible to the electors of their division - yet Prescott claims devolution will bring more democracy.

4 Parliaments will be elected by proportional representation. This can give undue influence to a very small party.

5 Devolution will, in time, erode the geographical identities of counties and the traditional loyalties towards them which have been built up over a thousand years. The English shires will disappear and another bit of our heritage will be lost.

Six Assemblies will send representatives to the European committee of regions. Devolution will pave the way for the concept, popular in some quarters, of new European regions that ignore national boundaries.

The address to write to is John Prescott MP, House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA.

Gwynne Walters,

Castle View Terrace, Skipton.

SIR - I would like to ask your paper for help to ensure that people in Craven know they have a chance to "vote" on the first stage of a possible regional government, before March 3.

The Government has asked us to gather views from businesses, residents and other organisations in your area. They want to know if there are strong feelings about having a directly elected government for the region, a kind of "Yorkshire and Humber parliament".

They are gauging whether there is sufficient interest to make it worthwhile holding a referendum on this subject. We are holding a number of information seminars, focus groups and presentations on the subject - please call or email us for more information.

We've also set up a website - www.yhreferendum.info - for people to find out more, feed in their views and have a chance to "vote''. Alternatively, people can write to us directly at the address below to give us their opinion on whether they want a referendum in the region.

This is a hugely important debate and one which will affect us all - I hope people in Craven can take five minutes to get involved.

Peter Box,

Chairman,

Yorkshire and Humber Assembly,

18 King Street,

Wakefield WF1 2SQ

SIR - I just had to put pen to paper about the "Settle Together" event and hopefully through your paper thank the organisers of the event. Also the people who passed on their skills in book binding, felt making and paper making.

It was wonderful to see children and adults motivated into learning new craft skills and the pleasure on the faces of the students as they proudly took their newly made pieces of art home. Meeting people and being able to converse on newly acquired skills made the day one to be remembered.

Many thanks also to Barclays and Booths for their sponsorship.

Catherine Holland

Lower Croft Street,

Settle.