Our Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator continually passes on messages from Pat Jackson in police HQ warning householders not to employ "cowboy" workers who do an inferior job and charge taxpayers high prices.

Our council tax has risen yet again while Brighton and Hove City Council cheerfully employs firms who do inferior jobs, notably in street lighting, street cleaning and rubbish collection.

The lack of proper rubbish clearance, resulting in rubbish sacks being torn open by cats and rats, is a serious health hazard, especially to children and elderly people.

Just as the bypass heavily increased traffic into the city centre, so the half-baked proposals for the A23 will increase traffic problems yet again, as well as spoiling a picturesque part of Brighton.

Why should the taxpayers put up with dangerously inferior services?

Brighton used to be well served with street cleanliness, efficient rubbish collection, good and quickly-repaired street lighting, parks well cared for, police on foot in the streets, hospitals spotlessly clean and filled with flowers so patients were encouraged to get better quickly and a flower show in the Corn Exchange each year, which was like a mini-Chelsea and which encouraged visitors to the town.

Trees in the streets were pruned each year too, so they did not grow too tall and become a nuisance to householders.

What are we taxpayers going to do about the poor state of affairs now?

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