SIR — When I left serving in local government, I made up my mind that I would never write a letter to the Free Press about politics, but I feel I must congratulate Cllr Sandra Slade for taking the action that we probably should have taken 20 years ago (Free Press December 31).

From 1987 when I first became a councillor, we have continually made representations to the Government about West Somerset being a special case - but have they ever taken any notice?

We have such a small population for the area that we have to cover. How many bins can an urban dust cart empty in 15 minutes? In West Somerset this could be the time taken to drive to one house to empty one bin!

Those in their 'ivory towers' take none of this into consideration when funds are allocated. Would they take any notice this time? Who knows? But good luck!

Meigan Lyons,

Whitegate Close,