BROMSGROVE'S newly-elected lone Liberal Democrat councillor says the authority must do more to communicate with the people it serves.

Councillor Gordon Selway, who won a seat in Slideslow on December 9, said he has found the district council's communications with the public over problems with refuse and recycling woefully inadequate.

His comments follow complaints that some areas of Bromsgrove missed out on collections on New Year's eve when two vehicles broke down.

Some householders complained that subsequent calls to the council to find out why, failed to give satisfactory answers.

Cllr Selway said questions have already been raised about the suitability of vehicles but breakdowns must be expected. He added that it was unfortunate this happened on the busiest collection day of the year.

He said even if the district council has a set plan for dealing with missed collections, no-one he contacted over the weekend knew what it was.

"But failing to give householders any explanation of why waste glass and paper had not been taken away, to advise them when their rubbish would be collected, or to apologise for the extra work, are matters which can be attended to," he said.

Cllr Brian Fuller (Con-Hillside) cabinet member responsible for environmental issues, says the council does communicate as much as it is able to.

He added the breakdowns played an insignificant part in the delays, which were mainly due to a greater volume of waste put out by householders.