SIR - This week a minority of council staff have been striking over pay. Your readers should know what is being demanded and what is on offer.

The unions have put in a claim which, if met, would on average, cost an extra £80 in council tax for every household. I do not think residents want that.

Or nationally, 85,000 jobs would be lost. I don't think local council workers would want that.

Instead employers have offered a three per cent rise, backdated to April. That would be put in people's pay packets immediately.

A three per cent rise is affordable - it would mean no increase in council tax. It is also nearly three times the level of inflation. It is the national going rate for pay increases.

Employers think the offer is fair and reasonable and that the union's claim is unrealistic and unaffordable. Over the coming period there will probably be some disruption to local services. But if we were to grant the unions their claim the consequences would be more harmful. And that is why it is right for employers to stand firm on this issue.

Charles Nolda, Executive Director, Employers' Organisation for Local Government.

SIR - As a line manager for Bradford Council I believe I am playing my part in delivering the Council's services for my local community. On Wednesday, though, I joined my colleagues from the Transport and General Workers' Union up an down the country by going on strike.

I enjoy my job, do it to the best of my ability, but I don't enjoy being paid well below average earnings. Going on strike has been a difficult decision but, quite frankly, it is the only way I can see now to get my voice heard. I have had enough of being told I must accept low pay as a way of life by people who have paid themselves big pay rises.

The councillors and council officers say they can't afford a decent pay rise for my colleagues and me. They tell me that every year and I just don't believe or trust them now.

We have seen the pay rises they've paid themselves - 60 per cent or more for the councillors nationwide, and it will take us about six years to earn what the average chief executive earns in six months.

It is time for a fair pay rise and justice in local government. I am tired of councillors taking the credit for themselves when we do our job well, but blaming us when they mismanage.

Alex Fleming (Transport & General Workers Union senior shop steward), Hainsworth Wood Road, Keighley.

SIR - I have always thought that Council Tax was a rip-off with water running a close second. Now I am more convinced when they are trying to charge extra for removing bags of rubbish.

This little scheme is going to see rubbish being left all over the place.

After the last war, Montgomery said we would reap the fruits of victory and this country would be a country fit for heroes. He must have been joking.

M Jordan, Rhodesway, Bradford 8.

SIR - Perhaps it was inevitable that some members of the Asian community would consider some of the custodial sentences given to the rioters as being excessive. It is also true that the act of throwing missiles would not usually carry a custodial sentence of several years.

However, the individual actions of rioters throwing missiles had unleashed a violence which caused large-scale damage to property, injury to over 300 policeman and the image of the city being irreparably damaged. In addition a Working Man's Club was deliberately set alight with its occupants trapped within, as burning vehicles were placed against the exits.

Hence viewed within the consequences of the riots, sentences of up to five years' imprisonment, which have thus far been levied, may appear unduly lenient. It must also be noted that an act of riot may incur a custodial sentence of up to ten years.

The judges hearing the cases have refrained from applying the maximum sentence, and those complaining of undue severity should be aware of this. It should further be noted that the rioters in 1995 escaped with impunity as no action was taken against them.

Alec Suchi, Allerton Road, Allerton.

SIR - I have followed with interest the long-running saga of Odsal stadium. One of the points that was highlighted was that it was to be classed as an "out of town shopping development", thus prompting a call for a public inquiry.

I can't remember any type of inquiries being called for on new facilities built by Morrisons and Asda. Why not just give Odsal to Morrisons so our once great city of the north can become the retail and warehouse centre of England?

Richard Johnson, Owlet Road, Windhill.

SIR - Have Bradford Council learned nothing from the riots last year? Lack of opportunity, disaffected youth, unemployment, boredom and other factors have been cited as some of the possible causes. Let's just take the latter of these factors and ask the question: why are the Council proposing to build on the only piece of open space in Girlington ie West Park?

West Park has been used as a recreation ground for many years by Girlington residents and their children. It is an ideal space because it is big enough to accommodate a variety of physical activities but small enough for parents to keep an eye on their offspring. Where is the sense in depriving a large community of such a useful facility? Where will young people go to play outdoor games?

No doubt St Philip's Primary do need a new school. The fact that the present building is subject to bouts of vandalism does not guarantee that a new school will not suffer the same fate. In fact, locating the new school on the West Park site will probably seal its fate.

Dorothy F Brady, Ashwell Road, Heaton.

SIR - Regarding the clamping of cars at Haworth, why is it that people who want to visit and spend money there have to pay for parking at all?

It seems everywhere you go in England, you have to "pay and display". Don't the municipalities make enough money? Surely the parking lots have been paid for over many times.

On Long Island, if we want to go to a mall, the parking is free. Why pay to shop? I love going to Haworth when I visit, but I would be afraid to go over my time limit.

When you are out browsing, why should you have to watch your time? I would hate to have to run back up the hill to put more money in the meter. If this continues, Haworth may as well shut up shop. No-one will visit.

Diane Duguid, E.4th Street, Deer Park, New York.

SIR - Hailing from Bradford I am a regular reader of your paper. I must protest at the fuss over the Bradford Festival. In my day, when honest folk had jobs and homes to go to, we didn't need community festivals to prosper.

Do Bradfordians lose sleep over poor festival attendance figures? How much more taxpayers' money will be spent on consultant fees etc to drag the city back to its former glory?

Why don't the Council find out what locals really want? Do they really want to pay for long-haired student types to hold free pop concerts at their expense?

Why don't the Council spend money to make Bradford a place people want to live and work in? Why not create jobs and build homes instead of chasing the daft dream of capital city of culture?

Now Mr Brack and others have had a settlement (of how much one wonders) for their troubles, perhaps the Council can sack the others and we can hear the end of it?

Mrs Ellen Howerd, Cundall Avenue, Asenby, Thirsk.

SIR - Before we get too carried away with our bid for "Capital of Culture", can we have a look at the roof of part of the Industrial Museum at Eccleshill. It also may have escaped the Council's notice that the caf has been closed for a considerable time.

These things need looking at before we ever think of a bid.

Michael Booth, South View Drive, East Bierley.