I FEEL I must respond to Howard Martin's letter (October 7 issue) in which he accuses myself and the Conservatives of a U-turn and of breaking one of our main election promises.

Our position on refuse collections was clearly set out in our manifesto which stated on recycling and waste collection: "An early decision will be a complete review of the waste collection throughout the district. We intend to work with Worcestershire County Council on their goals to reduce waste in line with Government targets and directives".

At no stage did I ever promise to return to a weekly wheelie bin collection.

Since forming an administration in June the Conservative cabinet has fully discussed this issue, reviewing the service as a whole.

This can be borne out by fact that I and council leader Stephen Clee spent a day with the recycling and refuse crews to see first-hand how the service was working.

Another part of that review was giving full consideration to whether or not to take up the Defra grant to extend the scheme.

MARCUS HART

Deputy leader and cabinet member for commercial

services,

Lowe Lane, Wolverley