WILLITON Parish Council met on Monday to discuss the decision by West Somerset District Council to stop issuing free black refuse sacks to households.

District and parish Cllr Hugh Davies is calling on the authority to reverse its new ruling because, he says, the ratepayers will foot the bill in the long run.

The district council, which used to supply every home with one black sack for every day of the week, now forecasts savings of £35,000 a year if residents buy their own.

But many people, especially pensioners, across West Somerset are angry at losing the service.

At Monday's parish council meeting, Cllr Davies said the district authority wanted to cut back public services while at the same time increasing councillors' allowances.

He said the payments to councillors and committee chairman had risen from £37,000 to £102,000 a year: "Then they look to cut costs and come up with stopping the free bags.

"What I can see happening is a load of Tesco bags outside people's houses and on pavements which will take longer to pick up and Cleanaway will have to employ more staff at taxpayers' expense.

"Also, many old people may find it difficult to get out and buy a role of black sacks and then they have to deal with the cost."

Cllr Davies said that often the bin liners bought from shops were not made to same standard as those the council delivered and were "too flimsy".

l A letter from WS Atkins informed members that the nursery orchard bridge in Long Street was to be replaced.

The current 2.4 metre bridge spans the Doniford Stream but the highways authority has been instructed by Somerset County Council to produce drawings for the new structure which will consist of a prefabricated precast concrete deck.

Project engineer Steven Roberts said: "To minimise any disruption to traffic, the bridge will be closed during the night while the existing structure is removed and replaced with the new one.

"The bridge will be able to support traffic the following day. However, lane restrictions will be imposed to allow reinstatement of the existing carriageway surface."

l Cllr Paddy Gower suggested several picnic tables could be sited on the Memorial Ground. It was agreed that quotes for tables and benches be sought and the cost for securing the equipment to the ground.

l The problem of flooding in Williton raised its ugly head when resident Peter Cleere told of how a neighbour in Half Acre found the access to his home flooded because of a blocked drain.

The heavy downpour two weeks ago meant the drain could not cope with the excess water and the villager thought he was about to face a second disaster, Mr Cleere said.