The question of the Memorial Hall was touched upon; to the ever lasting credit of the Memorial Hall Trustees, they have kept the parish/town council at arms length - whilst some councillors are trustees, they are there as private citizens and not the parish/town council.

Councillor you should have stopped there, when you were ahead; what followed is shadowland and an area of smoke and mirrors, where an approach by a member of the public for information in order to have a better understanding, is considered, by the council, as a challenge to its fiefdom, and not to be tolerated.

As there had not been a satisfactory response to a normal approach, in early 2006 an application, under FoI legislation was made for details of an aspect of expenditure; when this information was released, it revealed the hours worked by the tidy team greatly exceeded those stipulated by full council when the team was established (initially 20 hours, subsequently increased, after debate in the council chamber, by one hour.

As there were disingenuous responses to the application as to when the extended hours had been debated by full council. It was necessary for FoI legislation to be involved.

In June 2007 the clerk reported, the full council had never debated extending the hours.

An explanation was sought under the council's complaint procedure, over a year later, awaited.

Perhaps advice as to what's so special about the Cherry Tree Association could be provided as it is in receipt of benefit not extended to others. Historically that organisation made annual applications for grant aid, receiving upwards of half the small grant fund.

This year the council decided that organisation no longer had to go through the chore of submitting an application, they would be in receipt of an annual award. Placing that organisation in the same category as street lighting, maintenance etc, when the precept was being considered.

Incidentally this year's award is in excess of the average historic award.

Perhaps this public can be informed as to why the procedure for dealing with complaint was revised some two years ago, from immediate attention, to referral to the next meeting of a committee that meets three times a year.

The council has a strange mindset, I cannot recall ever hearing its members refer to the parish, always to a vague Beverley, there is also the fascinating situation of the clerk to the council referred to as town clerk.

Clearly councillors are striving to create an image to justify an ever escalation in the financial demand on the parish taxpayer.

The impression is created that information is delivered, on a regular basis by employees.

As there are only 10 full council meetings and 27 committee meetings a year, not an insurmountable volume to distribute by office staff, however, expenditure reporting reveals the royal mail is taking the strain, whilst there is separate expenditure for distribution of the several newsletters the council is required to distribute.

K Golisti
Minster Avenue