Sir, - We are rather more in touch with local residents than the Lib-Dems at Richmondshire District Council, and so had no need to take up their "ask the audience" approach to policy making with regard to taxi vouchers.

We know that taxi vouchers were an important part of the district council concessionary travel arrangements which is why we offered them, along with half-price bus passes, for several years in our old scheme, and at a time when operating any concessionary travel was entirely discretionary. Residents in Hambleton for instance had no scheme at all, not even half-price bus passes.

However central government decided that all councils would have a compulsory half price bus pass scheme (taxi vouchers are still discretionary) and then shortchanged us at Richmondshire by £56,000 annually in the cost of operating their scheme.

This additional cost represents nearly 3pc of the forthcoming year's council tax increase, and has to be borne by all council taxpayers yet only offers potential benefits to a small percentage of them.

So we retained as much of the taxi voucher scheme as we felt taxpayers could afford at this time, targeting the vouchers on those most in need, the registered disabled, and giving those vouchers free rather than making a charge for them.

We would hope to reinstate the original taxi voucher scheme as soon as council finances allow. We know how valued it was to elderly people and those living in remote locations. But in remembering that it is all local residents who have to pick up the tab we were being prudent, especially important now in view of the drastic effect foot-and-mouth will have on income in many Richmondshire households.

Our new concessionary bus travel scheme will allow concessionaires to travel, on any day, anywhere in North Yorkshire and beyond, from Kendal to Whitby, from Selby to Darlington. By skilful negotiations we have secured a wonderful deal for our bus travellers, real best value, and well beyond the minimum scope of the statutory scheme.

Those of us present at the January environment committee do not remember any protest whatsoever from the Lib-Dems when this new scheme was adopted. Indeed Coun Forth did not bother to turn up at the meeting or the subsequent council. This is yet more Lib-Dem political posturing, going along with a decision until the lure of a few column inches of publicity induces a sudden change of their principles - principles that are quietly dropped when the media loses interest. There will be plenty more soon in their "Focus" newsletters - after all it is election time.

Coun JOHN BLACKIE

Leader,

Richmondshire District Council.

Meet the TA

Sir, - The Territorial Army in the North of England comprises some 3,000 men and women drawn from all walks of life. They train in their TA centres on one evening a week and on average one weekend a month at one of the Army's training areas.

In addition they spend two weeks each year at annual camp or attending a specialist course. They are paid for all the training they do. A number of our Territorial soldiers, both men and women, are at present voluntarily serving in Bosnia and Kosovo, thus demonstrating that the TA is a vital part of the British Army.

Our TA soldiers receive skills training which is of benefit to them in their civilian jobs and we are now offering NVQs in over a dozen subjects.

Tomorrow is "TA Day" when we shall be opening the doors of our TA centres to the public so that they can meet our soldiers and find out about our equipment, training and the opportunities which TA service offers. In some places our soldiers will be out and about in town centres and will be more than willing to talk to members of the public and show them what they do.

All units in the North-East have some vacancies for soldiers, created through the normal turnover of personnel. There are also vacancies for potential officers. We are particularly keen to attract qualified medical personnel to our Field Hospital units at Newcastle, Newton Aycliffe and Norton and there are vacancies for people to train as pioneers across the region and as signallers at Middlesbrough, Darlington, Hartlepool and on Tyneside.

There are a number of attractions tomorrow which will make a visit to your nearest TA centre interesting, enjoyable and fun. Such a visit will be suitable for everyone whether male or female, young or old, and would be a good family day out.

TA Day is not designed just for potential recruits although such people will be particularly welcome. Your nearest TA unit is listed in the telephone book under "Army" or you can click on to our special web site: www.ta-day.co.uk for further information.

Col TONY GLENTON

North of England Reserve Forces and Cadets Association

Old Elvet,

Durham.