BLAENAU GWENT council’s executive members will shortly be considering a foolish proposal to change black bag collections from fortnightly to three weekly.

While it is acceptable for residents to be encouraged to think about recycling, is it acceptable for the council to spend £4.3million on buying new vehicles and recycling bins?

The council claims it is short of cash.

The Labour-controlled council yet again persists in making major decisions without considering what the electorate think.

The Audit Commission has demanded that before decisions of this nature are made, it must be considered what impact changes will have on the community.

Think back six years, the change from a weekly to a fortnightly collection was made by the independent council at the time. It initiated severe and wild criticism from Labour councillors. Where is the morality now?

I suggest that councillors are lobbied in respect of these changes. We learn about service delivery changes only through the press, there is never discussion between officers and members – what a way to run this council.

The council leadership has promised to improve engagement with local people. Yes of course, but only by informing the community what will happen or what changes have been made. Is this justice?

John J Hopkins County borough councillor Leader independent councillors