Make real savings

SIR, — Recent comments in the press about Down Council’s civic amenity site at the Cloonagh Road in Downpatrick make interesting reading.

Is it not true that closing the district’s three amenity sites two days during the week was agreed by some of the elected members who are now up in arms about the very same closures?

These are the very politicians that have backed cuts in frontline services over the past year, such as street cleansing and the withdrawal of the Saturday morning civic amenity vehicle from various locations across the district.

We, the ratepayers, are now in for more upheaval with the introduction of a new four-day bin collection service, under the guise of saving money.

We all know where the real money can be saved, so do our so-called politicians. It was not that long ago there was a four-day bin collection service, so why go back to this again? It will mean more money and more expense.

Perhaps our local politicians can also confirm that at the end of last year, 11 new assistant director posts were created at Down Council, each at a cost of an additional £4,000 and £5,000 on top of already inflated salaries.

Yours etc.

CONCERNED,

(Name and address supplied).