Councillor denies any personal benefit

She supports this argument by saying there had been no complaints from other residents to either the planning or markets departments.

This is not so. Residents had sent in objections to both departments prior to my letter of October 14. This is what I said in this letter:

'In the past many people have complained to me about the danger and disruption caused by these car boot sales, but both Markets Officers and Planning Officers say they have so far not received many letters about them. In my view this is because residents' views have never been sought.

If you do have views on the use of Otley Cattle Market for car boot sales it is now important that you register your views by writing and stating them to (...the planning department).'

It is important to note that I sought 'views' and not 'objections', and what I did was create an opportunity for those immediately affected by the car boot sale to state their views on an activity that has no planning permission. Incidentally, the planning department is clear in its view that the car boot sale DOES require planning permission.

In response to my letter more than 20 individual letters were received by the planning department, 90 per cent of which objected to the car boot sale. I acted because of the level of complaints I received and because there was a clear planning breach going on in front of my eyes. Not to have done so would have been negligent.

I apologise to Miss Kerr for misunderstanding her interest in the car boot sale and fully accept that she has never been a seller. As to the other issues she raises I agree that the use of the Cattle Market for the hospitality units for film crews also needs looking into, and have raised the issue with the planning department. I have also taken action to reduce the impact of filming on car parking in Otley.

The other letters also raise points about parking near to schools, traders boards on pavements, widening of Kirkgate pavement, and public toilets. Parking near to all the schools is an issue, but I think that rather than increasing parking we need to encourage more children to walk to school by providing safe crossings near to schools and other measures. We also need to provide better school buses.

I have raised both issues with officers, and provision of school buses is the subject of a rural transport challenge bid of more than £900,000, with which I am involved.

Traders' boards on pavements contravene highway regulations. The City Council Highways Departments is the body charged with enforcement of these regulations. If members of the public see a board causing problems they should phone (0113) 2477576 and action will be taken.

The widening of Kirkgate pavement was discussed at a town council meeting earlier this month, not 25 years ago. But, I repeat, it is currently only a proposal under investigation and would require full consultation if it were to progress.

Finally, I agree that the provision of public toilets in Otley Centre is currently inadequate. The toilets off New Market are currently run by Orchardgate Shopping Centre under lease from the city council. They are not adequate in either their opening times nor in their hygiene standards in my view. Decent public toilets are essential for the wellbeing of any town centre and I am currently pursuing this issue.

To end on a constructive note, many of the issues raised are of public concern and need the input of local residents however long they have lived here. Fortunately in addition to representations to local councillors and the local media, residents of Otley have an opportunity to influence the future of Otley through the Otley Town Partnership.

As part of the Market Towns Initiative there will be a series of public meetings on the future of the town in January and February to which all residents and businesses in the town are invited. Dates and venues of these meetings will be announced when they are confirmed.

I hope many townspeople will make muse of this opportunity to contribute to the life of the town.

May I wish all your readers a Happy New Year, including Miss Kerr and Jean Gascoyne.

Coun Philip Coyne

8 Newall Mount,

Otley

More meddling

SIR, - Blair's audacity in pontificating to India and Pakistan over matters on which he has no knowledge or understanding, when he is incapable of solving problems in his own country, is a measure of his megalomania.

Whilst he is away, perhaps he could also put out the fires in Australia and sort out Mugabe on his way home. Maybe he needs some more Kryptonite and should start wearing his underpants outside his trousers.

Blair, whose expertise includes betrayal and failure, is now inflicting these talents on others throughout the world. If there is danger of a nuclear war, you can depend on Blair to make it a certainty.

British meddling and interference in foreign affairs is responsible for most of the world's problems. Tony Blair is certain to make matters worse.

No doubt Blair's obsession with things international is to get away from the chaos here in the hope no one will blame him for the mess. Just as he did when the fuel crisis was on. Whilst he is in hiding, no-one can blame him for the rail strike and shambles in health, education, transport, policing and welfare. Or can we?

Amongst Blair's 'achievements'(?), are:- converting the Labour Party into the Conservative Party mark II, destroying democracy, protecting the privileges of the monarchy and aristocracy, increasing the gap between the rich and the poor, taking away democratic choice from the electorate, reducing human rights, taking away the right to juries and introduced imprisonment without trial.

Some record.! Some leader! Some socialist! Some disaster!

Malcolm Naylor

21 Grange View,

Otley.

Neglect of Pool

SIR, - The one surprising thing about last week's front page photograph of the two hard-hatted Labour councillors viewing the refurbishment at Prince Henry's swimming pool is that they were not at the same time wearing face masks and snorkels.

That would have been one way at least for them to hide their embarrassment at the way the Labour-controlled Leeds City Council has allowed Otley's swimming pool to decline over a period of 20 years.

In standard New Labour fashion, the £345,000 spend on the pool amounting to little more than essential repairs has now been announced one way and another at least three times.

Following the spin surrounding the Otley Market Town's Initiative money, can we be forgiven for suspecting we are intended to believe that something over £1m is being spent on this worthwhile work?

The refurbishment is welcome but the question has to be asked whether it really needed to take so long to get essential repairs done. For those living in the south Leeds Labour heartland, money for swimming pools seems to be less of a problem.

How many people are aware, for instance, that Leeds plans to spend £13.2 million on a new 50m ten-lane swimming pool at the South Leeds Stadium - nearly 40 times as much as we are getting for Otley ?

Granted they hope to get £5m lottery funding and yes, they intend to flog off the International Swimming Pool (and that idea itself has already opened a can of worms) but they need extra money besides. Will that hold them back? You bet it won't - £800,000 has already been committed to cover the appointment of the design team for the proposed new swimming pool.

One cannot help but reflect that £13.2m would have covered nicely the costs of not merely repairing but also bringing up to modern standards, not just the pool at Prince Henry's, but a number of other swimming and leisure facilities in the outer areas of the city. Is there any reason why we always seem to miss out ?

Coun Clive Fox

99 Breary Lane East,

Bramhope,

Nr Leeds

LS16 9EU.

Bankruptcy help

SIR, - Personal debt in the United Kingdom has risen from £450 billion to a staggering £700 billion over the past five years. Millions of people are crippled with debts they are unable to pay. I am the founder of the Bankruptcy Association that I set up nearly 20 years ago to provide help and assistance to people experiencing debt problems. During that period we have helped tens of thousands of people to deal with their debt problems.

There is still very little truly independent advice for people in debt or facing bankruptcy. Much of the advice available is tainted in some way because people in debt fuel a multi-million pound 'industry' that exploits the misfortune of people in debt.

As a membership-based association (membership costs just £15 per annum) we provide totally independent advice and we also have available a wide range of publications that cover every aspect of debt problems. In addition, we have a specialist legal service that is available to members.

Readers can obtain further details about us by visiting our website at www.theba.org.uk or by telephoning us on our general enquiry line on (01524) 64305. Readers can also write to us for details at The Bankruptcy Association, FREEPOST, 4 Johnson Close, Lancaster LA1 1BR.

John McQueen

Founder,

The Bankruptcy Association.

Jewellery wanted

SIR, - The Royal National Lifeboat Institution saves lives at sea and I wonder if readers are aware that their unwanted jewellery and similar items can support this vital task.

Since 1986 our Jewellery Appeal has raised £427,000 for lifeboat funds, a sum which would buy five high speed Atlantic rigid inflatable inshore lifeboats. I would be delighted to receive any good quality items of jewellery that are no longer required, such as rings, brooches, bracelets, chains and watches.

Gold and silver articles and small objets d'art would be very much appreciated, as would war medals and memorabilia, decorations and badges. The RNLI is funded entirely by voluntary contributions and legacies. Our lifeboatman and women are volunteers too and they are always ready to exchange the warmth and comforts of home for cold, wet and danger to help those in distress at sea.

Roy Norgrove

Appeal organiser,

RNLI, West Quay Road,

Poole, Dorset.