Sir, - In response to the letter from A Hemsley (D&S, Dec 14), I felt it was worth writing to set out a few facts.

This year, the government's figures suggest that council tax for the district council (at Band D) should be £90.25 - Hambleton charged £50, representing a £40.25 saving to taxpayers. For next year, the government's figure is £97.36. Hambleton is likely to charge £56 - an increase of 50p per month, while still representing a saving to taxpayers of £41.36.

There is a formula applied by the government which controls council expenditure overall. Within this, we are funded by both central government and local taxpayers. It is the case in relative terms that the government-funded element is reducing, which means a greater call on local taxpayers. This is why council tax can rise, even though expenditure is not to the same extent.

Of course, there are other elements of the tax levied - by the county council, police authority and parish/town councils. Each tax-raising body has its own problems to face - and for which it is accountable, but I hope the situation about the Hambleton's proportion is clear.

Coun ARTHUR W BARKER

Deputy leader of the council and cabinet spokesman for finance

Hambleton District Council,

Northallerton.

Accident facts

Sir, - In your article "Loving and kind man was traumatised by accidents"(D&S Dec 7), which relates to our son, it is stated that "he had been traumatised by two road accidents, having hit a deer on the first and written off his car in the second, the following day," giving the impression that the incidents were due to carelessness on his part.

This is not true. The fact is that he was the innocent party in both cases. As was made clear in the statements read at the inquest (which may be corroborated by reference to the coroner's office) and by our son himself to us on both evenings after the incidents, the truth is that a deer hit him, jumping into and damaging the driver's door in the first accident and on the following day, while he was waiting behind the car ahead which was about to make a right turn, a third car ran into the rear of our son's car, causing such damage that his car was a write off.

DOROTHY JEWITT

South End,

Osmotherley .

Easby inaction

Sir, - Re the eroded river bank near Easby abbey.

I believe a committee was formed with the object of raising funds for restoring the river bank and reinstating the footpath, which has been considerably diverted away from the riverside.

That footpath forms part of a circular walk from Richmond which is exceptional in the area, especially for the elderly senior citizens, because it is not hilly.

I would like to know what has happened to this committee and what progress has been made in attracting funds to do any necessary remedial work to restore the river bank and the adjoining the footpath.

H B CHRISTIAN

Pilmoor Drive,

Richmond.