I?SHOULD like to respond to Mrs Pennock's reaction to my comments on her original letter to the 'Review'.

The problem as I see it, is that in all council matters I take the detached position most people probably take and, apart from paying my council tax, I do not enquire as to how the council spends the collected money.

Therefore I do not know enough to be able to offer an opinion on most matters such as libraries and car parks. I know that at the end of the financial year the council encloses details on how the collected council tax is spent with the new council tax demand, but I do not feel that looking at those figures informs me very much. Perhaps, instead of being indifferent or complaining, one should also try to be informed so that one can make valid comments and valid contributions.

What we need is more informed debate and greater participation on council matters. I am as much at fault here as any of us.

This, however, is separate from the garden waste collection issue. I remain of the opinion I expressed before. I consider my largish garden, a luxury which I am fortunate to own, not an affliction. Its waste, to me, is my problem and my responsibility; and, of course, the larger the garden the greater the waste produced which costs more to process and dispose of.

Think about it, how is the issue different from the council tax band? The larger houses pay higher council tax than the smaller houses.

As to people reacting to the green bins collection charges by taking other, unecological routes; it wouldn't be the council they spite, but the environment and the future generation.

– Anna Hurwitz, Parke