DEAR EDITOR -- I was pleasantly surprised to read that Bromsgrove District Council has decided not to charge elderly council tenants for using the laundry facilities.

The comment that Cllr Nick Psirides made gives me concern. He states: 'I am not happy charging for laundry. I feel it should be part of the rent. 'Do I take this to mean that the elderly council tenants are going to have their rents raised to accommodate this charge? Plus, the comment from Cllr Hadley: 'As a caring council I really do not think we should impose them.'

I must remind people that it was this Conservative-controlled council that changed the free bus pass system introduced by the previous Labour group, and started charging our elderly residents to use the buses. If this council is, as they say, caring -- then I call upon them to reinstate the free bus pass system. This council gives with one hand and takes away with the other.

If you the residents of Bromsgrove would like to have the free bus pass system reintroduced then please write to me c/o the Council House, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove.

Councillor Bill Newnes,

(Lab. Catshill)