SIR - I was delighted to read in your paper the good news that the proposed cuts to the Craven Pupil Referral Service across North Yorkshire look set to be delayed for a year (Craven Herald, January 10).

However, unless that year is used to produce a genuine alternative plan that meets the needs of the current pupils and those who would follow them, then it becomes merely a stay of section rather than a reprieve.

Were someone threatening to kick me in the teeth now, and then said that he would

not do so until next year, I would be relieved, but would probably spend the coming year living in fear and trepidation.

My thanks to our MP, Julian Smith for also expressing his concern. Perhaps he and I, along with concerned parents, staff and others could get together at some point and present a case to North Yorkshire County Council.

This must not prove to be an excuse to kick the can down the road in the hope that we will all have forgotten about it by next year. We will not forget.

It will not by then be my mayoral charity but my interest will not diminish.

Councillor Alan Hickman

Mayor of Skipton.