WITH local elections now just a few weeks away, voters should ask themselves, irrespective of their allegiance to whatever national party, are the present elected councillors spending my council tax wisely, or are they just frittering it away?

In Bewdley, for instance, in spite of a lot of requests over the years, and plenty of signatures against the practise, the council are still sending a mechanical road sweeper into the town at 6 am to sweep roads such as Load street and Lax Lane where cars are allowed to park overnight. The same goes for the two car parks.

Then by 10am all the litter that has been under the cars has blown onto the pavements and into the doorways.

But then your council sends men round with black plastic sacks and clipper-sticks to pick up the litter (including cigarette ends, one at a time!) and again in the afternoon.

If it wasn't needlessly costing so much, it would be laughable.

If the council spoke to their counterparts in Bromsgrove, though, they would be told, and I quote: "Some time ago we realised this same problem and got our heads together and using a bit of common sense, came up with the idea of buying some plastic refuse barrows, brooms and shovels, just to work on the roads where there was always traffic parked.

"This was cheaper, quieter, and far more efficient and resulted in Bromsgrove being voted the cleanest town in the country, with our head of cleansing going down to Buckingham Palace last November to receive a Green Award."

What a pity some of that common sense' hasn't drifted over to Wyre Forest District Council.

Mrs PAT JONES Severnside North Bewdley