I phoned the Sita helpline recently. The conversation went something like this:

Me: Good afternoon. Could you tell me which day the refuse will now be collected from St James's Avenue? Sita sent a leaflet round in the middle of the strike to say the day had, from Monday, June 18, changed to Tuesdays. On that Monday, there was a collection and some rubbish had not been made available because the collection was a day early. Last week, residents, not wishing to be caught out, have left their rubbish out on Monday as usual. We have had no collection. There has been no collection today (Tuesday), either.

Sita gentleman: I'm sorry your street has not been done yet. We are still catching up from the strike.

Me: Can you tell me when the next collection will be?

Sita: In the next day or two.

Me: Rubbish is strewn all over the street. Can you tell me exactly which day my rubbish will be collected?

Sita: I have no exact details.

Me: Will next week's collection be on Monday or Tuesday?

Sita: I have no information on that.

Me: I'm sorry, but what is the point of an information and helpline that can give neither information nor help?

Sita: (Long silence) There should be a collection soon.

Me: Thank you.

End of conversation.

If this were done as a comedy sketch, it would have the audience howling with laughter at the sheer ridiculousness of the answers. Can Sita or Brighton and Hove City Council give any?

PS. I note the council does not publish an email address. Is it trying to avoid being easy to contact? Phoning is frustrating and I have not succeeded in being able to reach anyone.

-Tom Abbott, Brighton