IT is unfortunate that in claiming "Durham County Council lacks trust" (HAS, June 21) your correspondent Tony Cowan should base such a sweeping statement on a lack of knowledge or understanding of the extent of the council's responsibilities.
Mr Cowan clearly suggests the county council was in some way responsible for the 35 per cent increase in Durham Police Authority's share of this year's council tax. It was not.
Durham Police Authority is an independent body. It is not answerable to the county council, and the county council is not responsible for decisions the police authority takes.
Mr Cowan goes on to ask why the police authority found it necessary to levy an increase of 35 per cent.
Had he read the newspapers at the time, he would know. The Chief Constable gave a detailed explanation and the relevant meeting of the police authority was covered extensively by the media.
Unfortunately, this is just another example of the mistaken and misleading arguments which those opposed to local government reorganisation have used to cast doubt and fear over change.
Peter Thompson, Chairman, Durham Police Authority.
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