YOUR claim (Telegraph Comment, March 8) that Lancashire County Council has been "set back" by two "revelations" needs to be taken with more than a pinch of salt.

Having spent many years as a working journalist, I am loath to accuse a reporter of not allowing the facts to get in the way of a good story. However, in Danny Brierley's two reports from the recent County Cabinet meeting, his use of the facts is, shall we say, selective, with the end result that your leader writer's ability to comment accurately has been severely hampered.

The Government Inspector's criticism of 'Vision' came as a throw-away remark in a 15-minute-long presentation of a 20 page report which heaped praise on the County Council.

While Danny was entirely justified to report the Inspector's single comment about 'Vision,' he failed to mention the following:

That the Inspector said: "The County Council is well placed to improve the way it works and the services it provides to local people."

The Inspector considered the appointment of a new Education Director "demonstrated excellent continued commitment to effective leadership."

The Inspector commented on "a good two star Library Service with excellent prospects for improvement."

The Inspector found "the excellent financial position remains healthy."

I could go on but the point is clear. Lancashire County Council, like any other organisation, always has room for improvement, and is not the basket case your comments piece would suggest.

Turning to the Youth Service issues, Danny also failed to report that the Cabinet considered a report which updated the overspend position. Thanks to the recovery plan put in place when the overspend first became apparent, the figure has been reduced by £173,000 and now stands at £227,000, not the £500,000 you suggest. Again, whilst work remains to be done, the work that has already been put in place is significant and demonstrates determination to put things right.

Even Coun Whipp admitted during the Cabinet meeting that the problems he raised in Earby have been resolved and there are now no hold-ups in recruiting staff. Children are not being left on the streets and, by Coun Whipp's admission, the service in his area remains fully operational.

MARCUS JOHNSTONE, Cabinet Member for Communications, Lancashire County Council.

Editor's Footnote: Coun Johnstone is entitled to his view but our story read as it did because the Inspector's criticism was new whereas we had already reported his praise of the council when the report was first made public. We did not suggest the council is "a basket case."