I DON’T recognise Torfaen County Borough Council from Wayne Roberts’ description. My experience has been totally different. Whenever I have needed to call one of their departments I have always been able to be put through by a call centre operative to the relevant individual, even on a small matter such as a disappearing dust bin. Torfaen County Borough Council also has a very responsive Facebook page which keeps people up to date.

It was particularly helpful in the snow last winter. I wonder if Mr Roberts is confusing Torfaen with Newport? Does anyone get put through by the call centre, or are operatives trained to deflect callers? In the last few months I tried desperately to speak to someone in social care adult Services about a vulnerable elderly relative living in Newport, but each time was effectively buffered by the call centre.

The operative took my request, spoke to someone in the department and passed an unsatisfactory message to me. I stopped calling when the vulnerable elderly person in question was rushed into hospital via A & E. It’s a pleasure dealing with Torfaen County Borough Council. I’d be interested to hear others’ experiences with Newport.

L Morse Hollybush Cwmbran