West Sussex County Council claims council tax rises are needed (The Argus, January 7) because it does not have enough money for waste management.

This council wasted thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money trying to impose its waste plans on Sompting, scarring the South Downs in the process.

If it had kept its promises to close the Halewick Lane waste site instead of spending vast amounts trying to force through plans at a public inquiry, it would not be claiming its coffers are short.

Typical of WSCC to try to pass the buck instead of admitting its mistakes.

-Martin Horner, Halewick Lane, Sompting