There is an old saying "Where there's muck there's brass" and judging by the actions of a number of individuals at the town hall, there is clearly the prospect of a few votes as well.

An almighty row has broken out over proposals for the collection of household rubbish in Worthing and, as always, a number of political figures have been quick to jump on the bandwagon.

For the refuse contractors the bottom line is rubbish should be removed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

How that takes place - ie if householders should be made to take rubbish to the front of properties for it to be collected - is a matter for borough council officers, who advise the full council to accept their findings.

It doesn't matter what colour rosette a councillor wears, is anybody really going to disregard professional advice in such a specialist area?

Peter Green, the Cabinet member responsible, is just that, a responsible man, who has to go with what the experts tell him.

Otherwise, what are you left with? Inexperienced people running a town who are way out of their depth. A recipe for disaster.

The proposals are a result of directives from the Government and would have been accepted by either of the main parties.

Which makes it all the more pathetic to have a fledgling councillor, along with a prospective candidate for next year's elections, trying to score political points over the issue.

When Steve Barton raped a 92-year-old woman in a Storrington churchyard, the whole nation was shocked.

At his trial in 1996 the judge described Barton as "possibly the most vile and evil person he had ever come into contact with" and sentenced him to 12 years in prison, which was subsequently reduced to ten on appeal.

But ten years clearly doesn't mean ten. Barton was actually released after six and last week hit the headlines again when he ran away with Kayleigh Quinn, 16, threatening a double suicide.

I'm all for people paying their debt to society but six years doesn't strike me as any kind of repayment. Perhaps in light of last week's events Barton should go back and serve his full time?

Farmer Tony Martin shot a burglar in his house while Steve Barton raped an old lady. One got out early, one didn't.

What a crazy world we live in.

Also hitting the headlines last week was another tragic story of a youngster taking their own life after being bullied at school.

This once again highlights the problem of bullying in our schools.

I'm prepared to admit I am experiencing such a situation with my daughter at her school.

When you see how bullying affects your own flesh and blood, you realise how terrible a problem it can be.

Thankfully, I'm lucky in that the school has an excellent headmaster and staff and, with the steps I'm taking, it should get stopped.

Having seen how this problem has developed I am prepared to go to any lengths to get the issue resolved.

I urge anybody who is going through a similar situation with their own children to treat it with the same seriousness.