MADAM, We read with amazement the statement in the Ross Gazette (Wednesday 20th June, 2012, page 2), attributed to Councillor Jarvis, concerning the council's intention, this autumn, to stop supplying black bin bags. Judging by the appearance of the bags left out for weekly collection in our locality, they are certainly not filled only to half capacity.

Considering some of the untimely or unnecessary policies being delivered by the council, for example the library pedestrian crossing in Ross, the Cattle Market redevelopment in Hereford, the proposal to resite the Ross community swimming pool at John Kyrle High School and add to the foregoing, the appalling maintenance standards of our roads, no wonder the council has to search around for every penny.

Taking this latest intention together with the cessation of concessionary parking privileges (for which, in any case, an administrative charge had to be paid) and increased parking charges, just what other inconveniences are planned for Council Tax-payers and residents?

The article says that the withdrawal of the black bags will result in a saving of £3.00 per household but what of the inconvenience and irritation to residents?

In effect households will now, we assume, have to supply their own bags. If this is so it will mean underpinning the council's finances in addition to the tax for a service already paid – a small, but surely a stealth tax nevertheless?

We suggest in this necessary period of austerity that Herefordshire Council really does need to reconsider elaborate schemes to provide better balanced services to residents.

For ourselves, whilst ordinarily we support the policies of Mr. Cameron's government, if the council continues in its current fashion we shall certainly not support conservatives in Herefordshire.

Jeffrey and Jan Wheeler, Ross.