Does Brighton and Hove City Council have a Department of Potty Ideas? I'm beginning to think so.

It has announced a scheme to place 140 huge rubbish bins around the city centre, each catering for approximately 25 households, which would be emptied twice a week.

The size of the bins will make them eyesores. When they are filled, dozens of black sacks will be dumped all around the containers, turning our streets into even bigger tips.

How will each bin be reserved for exclusive use by people from 25 pre-selected households?

A council officer says consideration is being given to issuing every "authorised user" with keys or swipe cards for opening them. Can you imagine the cost of this?

A senior councillor has gone on record to say the bins would be painted to blend in with the local environment, thus making them "visually attractive". Presumably this will mean our money being spent on paying artists to paint garbage containers.

The town hall has never, to my knowledge, consulted officials of amenity groups, representing thousands of people in the areas involved, who have detailed knowledge of the garbage problem.

One scheme which would greatly solve the rubbish problem would be daily collections in high density areas. Since nations like France do it as a matter of routine, why can't we?

Has the council analysed what the expense would be? If so, what is it? If not, why not?

I shall be writing to the DPI at the town hall about the two above points but I suspect that both will be ignored on the grounds that they are too sensible.

-Fred Boulden, Brighton